Latest news with #ISIS-inspired
India Today
08-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Explosive for Pulwama attack bought via e-commerce platform: Global terror watchdog
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has raised serious concerns over the growing misuse of e-commerce platforms and online payment services by terrorist organisations, citing specific cases from India such as the 2019 Pulwama attack and the 2022 Gorakhnath Temple incident as key its latest global report on terror financing risks, FATF, the intergovernmental body that monitors money laundering and terror financing worldwide, said that digital tools and financial technologies are being exploited by terrorist entities to raise, move, and manage funds in increasingly sophisticated report highlights that in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, aluminium powder-a key component used to enhance the explosive power of improvised explosive devices (IEDs)-was sourced through an e-commerce platform like Amazon. The blast killed 40 CRPF personnel and was linked to Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Investigators found that online platforms had played a role in the logistics and preparation of the people, including seven foreign nationals, were eventually charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and multiple assets, including vehicles and hideouts, were recovered during the another detailed case study, the FATF report examines the April 2022 Gorakhnath Temple attack, where an ISIS-inspired individual attacked security personnel. The accused had transferred approximately Rs 6.7 lakh overseas using PayPal to support Islamic State (ISIL) used multiple VPN services to mask his location and executed 44 international transactions. The accused also made payments to VPN providers from his Indian bank the pattern of suspicious activity, PayPal suspended his account to prevent further misuse. The FATF noted that this case reflected a growing trend among extremists to use online payment channels that are fast, affordable, and harder to FATF report goes further to suggest that the rapid rise of fintech platforms over the past decade has provided terrorists with new avenues to fund selling small goods online, purchasing chemicals and components for explosives such as 3D-printed parts, and soliciting donations via popular social media platforms, terrorist groups are creating decentralised financial networks that are more difficult to report stresses that peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, which often allow the use of pseudonyms and fake accounts, pose a unique challenge to authorities because they provide an alternative to traditional financial systems with reduced also warned that some national governments continue to provide direct or indirect support to terrorist organisations. While the report does not name specific countries, it states that evidence from various delegations and open-source information confirms the ongoing risk of state-sponsored has long accused Pakistan of harbouring and funding terrorists and has reiterated its demand that Pakistan be returned to FATF's 'Grey List' in light of such report concludes with a strong advisory to member nations to step up oversight of e-commerce platforms, VPN usage, and digital financial services, stating that these systems have evolved into new-age tools for terrorists to raise funds, procure equipment, and organise FATF recently condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people, saying that such acts are not possible without extensive financial support and sophisticated digital infrastructure.- EndsMust Watch
NDTV
05-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Arrested Terror Suspect "Big Fish" Bomb Maker, Influenced By Zakir Naik: Andhra Pradesh Cops
Rayachoti: The Andhra Pradesh police on Saturday identified one of the two terror suspects arrested here recently by Tamil Nadu police as a "big fish", with advanced bomb making skills. Kurnool Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Koya Praveen said Abubacker Siddique operated as a lone wolf, providing his terror expertise to those who shared his radical ideology and was influenced by radical fugitive preacher Zakir Naik. "This fellow (Siddique) whom we caught is too big a fish than what we had fellow is too big a fellow, who had travelled all across the length and breadth of this country. Who frequently travelled to the Gulf also, Abubacker Siddique," Praveen told PTI. Recently, Tamil Nadu's Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested Siddique and his accomplice Mohammed Ali in Rayachoti in Annamayya district. "Zakir Naik school of thought. He is more of a lone wolf. Ideologically motivated and an expert in making IEDs and electronic devices, timer explosive devices," said Praveen. According to police, Siddique is an expert maker of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), timer explosive devices and other highly lethal materials. Police conducted a fresh round of searches today at the duo's premises, but did not find any explosives. They managed to confiscate some documents and pen drives. Earlier, police recovered daggers, sickles, digital timers, clock switches, speed controllers, ball bearings, nuts and bolts, binoculars, walkie-talkies, mobile phones, and hacking software. They also seized maps of major Indian cities, coding manuals, ISIS-inspired literature, property documents, digital storage devices, cheque books, and financial records linked to suspicious transactions. On July 3, police disposed of a parcel bomb seized from them. After settling in Rayachoti, the DIG noted that Siddique, who is in his mid-50s, had carried out the bomb blast at BJP's Malleshwaram office in Bengaluru. Siddique was allegedly involved in the 2011 pipe-bomb planting attempt during BJP veteran and former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's rath yatra in Tamil Nadu's Madurai, among other terror activities.
The Print
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Arrested terror suspect a ‘big fish' bomb maker, influenced by Zakir Naik: Andhra Police
'This fellow (Siddique) whom we caught is too big a fish than what we had thought…This fellow is too big a fellow, who had travelled all across the length and breadth of this country. Who frequently travelled to the Gulf also, Abubacker Siddique,' Praveen told PTI. Kurnool Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Koya Praveen said Abubacker Siddique operated as a lone wolf, providing his terror expertise to those who shared his radical ideology and was influenced by radical fugitive preacher Zakir Naik. Rayachoti (Andhra Pradesh), Jul 5 (PTI) The Andhra Pradesh police on Saturday identified one of the two terror suspects arrested here recently by Tamil Nadu police as a 'big fish', with advanced bomb making skills. Recently, Tamil Nadu's Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested Siddique and his accomplice Mohammed Ali in Rayachoti in Annamayya district. 'Zakir Naik school of thought. He is more of a lone wolf. Ideologically motivated and an expert in making IEDs and electronic devices, timer explosive devices,' said Praveen. According to police, Siddique is an expert maker of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), timer explosive devices and other highly lethal materials. Police conducted a fresh round of searches today at the duo's premises, but did not find any explosives. They managed to confiscate some documents and pen drives. Earlier, police recovered daggers, sickles, digital timers, clock switches, speed controllers, ball bearings, nuts and bolts, binoculars, walkie-talkies, mobile phones, and hacking software. They also seized maps of major Indian cities, coding manuals, ISIS-inspired literature, property documents, digital storage devices, cheque books, and financial records linked to suspicious transactions. On July 3, police disposed of a parcel bomb seized from them. After settling in Rayachoti, the DIG noted that Siddique, who is in his mid-50s, had carried out the bomb blast at BJP's Malleshwaram office in Bengaluru. Siddique was allegedly involved in the 2011 pipe-bomb planting attempt during BJP veteran and former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's rath yatra in Tamil Nadu's Madurai, among other terror activities. PTI STH ROH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Terrorists, living under fake identity, arrested in Tamil Nadu; 20kg explosives seized
Two alleged terrorists from Tamil Nadu nabbed here recently after 30 years lived under "fake identities," and nearly 20 kg of explosives were seized from them, police said on Thursday. Police said that the two arrested persons were involved in major terrorist activities that posed a serious threat to national security.(Representational Image/pexel) Abubacker Siddique, allegedly involved in the 2011 pipe-bomb planting attempt during BJP veteran and former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's rath yatra in Tamil Nadu's Madurai and his accomplice Mohammed Ali were arrested earlier from here. Siddique was involved in several bomb blasts in south India and was arrested by the Tamil Nadu's Anti Terrorism Squad from his hideout in Annamayya district, TN police had earlier said. On Thursday, Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen and Annamayya district SP V Vidyasagar Naidu said the arrests were made on Monday after Tamil Nadu police sought assistance from their Andhra Pradesh counterparts to track down Siddique and Ali. "These two were involved in major terrorist activities that posed a serious threat to national security," Praveen told reporters. Following their arrest, search operations were conducted at their residences on Kottapalli and Mehboob Basha streets in Rayachoti town. Both men had settled in the Rayalaseema town as small-time traders. Abubakar married five years ago, while Ali married locally a decade ago. During the searches, their wives, Saira Banu and Shaikh Shameem, allegedly obstructed the police and attacked female officers. Both women were arrested and sent to Kadapa jail. Other confiscated items include daggers, sickles, digital timers, clock switches, pull/pressure switches, gas tube arresters, speed controllers, ball bearings, nuts and bolts, binoculars, walkie-talkies, mobile phones, and hacking software. Police also seized maps of major Indian cities, coding manuals, ISIS-inspired literature, property documents, digital storage devices, cheque books, and financial records linked to suspicious transactions. According to police, the seized materials were sufficient to manufacture 50-60 IEDs or 8-10 high-impact suitcase bombs with a lethal radius of 30 metres, similar to the Rameshwaram Cafe blast in Bengaluru last year. Octopus bomb disposal experts are assisting in the investigation. Police said the duo procured materials locally to avoid digital trails and used watch dials and plastic boxes to assemble the devices. Two cases have been registered at Rayachoti Urban Police Station under the Explosives Act, Arms Act, UAPA, and Section 132 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Naidu said the suspects are currently lodged in a Tamil Nadu jail. Andhra Pradesh police will seek custodial interrogation to uncover wider terror networks, funding sources, and additional plots. The duo was allegedly involved in the 1995 Egmore and Coimbatore blasts, the 1999 Kasaragod train blast, and the 2013 Malleswaram bomb case. Khan is also believed to have travelled to Gulf countries.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
"If we succeed with our plan, this would be largest attack on US ...," read encrypted message of Pakistani extradited for planning ISIS-inspired terror attacks in New York
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan entered Canada from Pakistan on a student visa in 2023. A Pakistani national residing in Canada, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan , also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, was extradited to the United States this week to face charges for plotting an ISIS-inspired mass shooting at a Jewish community center in New York City. The planned attack, intended to coincide with the first anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. The plot was uncovered largely through Khan's use of encrypted messaging apps, which reportedly played a critical role in both his planning and eventual apprehension. FBI Director Kash Patel said Khan allegedly tried to enter the US to commit the attack and planned an ISIS-inspired mass shooting on October 7, 2024, around the first anniversary of the 2023 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel. "Major news… earlier this afternoon, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a Pakistani citizen residing in Canada, was extradited to the United States on charges of attempting to provide material support to ISIS and attempting to commit acts of terrorism," Patel said in a post on Twitter. How Muhammad Shahzeb Khan relied on messaging apps Khan, 20, was charged in the Southern District of New York, according to a Department of Justice press release. The investigation revealed that Khan relied heavily on encrypted messaging platforms to communicate his plans, believing these apps provided secure and untraceable communication. However, one of his contacts was an undercover FBI agent. The encrypted message that exposed Khan's intentions was sent to this agent, whom Khan is said to have trusted as an ally. In a communication with undercover law enforcement officers, Khan claimed that if the plan succeeded, it would be "the largest attack on US soil since 9/11." In it, he also outlined his goal to kill "as many Jewish people as possible" in New York City on October 7, 2024. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo The investigation gained momentum after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested a father and son, Ahmed Eldidi and Mostafa Eldidi, on July 31, 2024, in connection with a separate terrorist plot in Ontario. This arrest is said to have spooked Khan, prompting him to send an encrypted message to his supposed associates, urging them to "lay low" and avoid social media to evade detection. The recipients were undercover agents who encouraged him to proceed with the attack, assuring him that weapons were ready. This deception kept Khan engaged, allowing authorities to reportedly gather further evidence through monitored encrypted communications. Khan arrived in Toronto on June 24, 2023, on a student visa, though it remains unclear which university he was enrolled in. On September 4, 2024, he began his journey toward the US border, starting in Toronto and driving to Napanee, Ontario, to pick up others allegedly involved in the plot. In Napanee, Khan and an unidentified female switched vehicles and continued to Montreal, where they changed cars again with another person driving. Approximately 19 kilometers from the US border, Canadian authorities stopped the vehicle and arrested Khan, thwarting the planned attack. He was provisionally arrested in Canada in September 2024 based on a complaint filed in the Southern District of New York. The case underscores the dual nature of encrypted messaging apps in modern terrorism investigations. While these platforms offer privacy and are widely used for legitimate purposes, they are also exploited by individuals planning illicit activities. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
