Latest news with #Nachan
Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Indian Express
‘Bayath', DIY kits and bomb testing in Western Ghats: a look at ‘Pune ISIS module'
On June 28, 2025, high-profile terror operative Saquib Nachan, 66, who hailed from Padgha in Thane rural, died in judicial custody in Delhi. A former general secretary of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and a convict in multiple terror-related cases, Nachan was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in December 2023 for allegedly masterminding the ISIS terror modules in Maharashtra. According to the NIA, Nachan allegedly administered 'bayath' or the 'oath of allegiance to the ISIS Khalifa' to young recruits of the terror group. His son Shamil Nachan was arrested by the NIA in August 2023 in connection with the Pune ISIS module case. NIA has so far arrested 11 terror operatives in this case. The agency alleged that these terror operatives assembled and tested bombs in Pune, besides planning terror attacks in various cities across Maharashtra and Gujarat. The breakthrough: action suspecting vehicle theft During night patrolling duty on July 18, 2023, policemen Amol Najan and Pradip Chavan nabbed three suspects in Pune city's Kothrud area around 2.30 am on suspicion of vehicle theft. The suspects, identified as Mohammed Shahnawaz Alam alias Shafi alias Abdulla of Jharkhand, Mohammed Yusuf Khan, and Mohammed Yunus Mohammed Yakub Saki, both from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, were found to be residing in Pune's Kondhwa. While the police personnel were taking them for a house search in Kondhwa, Alam allegedly escaped, but was later arrested by the Delhi Police in October that year. Meanwhile, the house search led to the recovery of suspicious items like 'drone material', some white powder, a pistol pouch, and a live cartridge. Subsequently, a First Information Report (FIR) was lodged against them at the Kothrud station under Indian Penal Code sections 468 (forgery), 379 (theft), 511 (offense punishable with imprisonment), and 34 (common intention), besides sections of the Indian Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act. The probe confirmed that Khan and Saki were members of the Al Sufa terrorist gang linked to ISIS. Both were 'most wanted' by the NIA in a case relating to the recovery of explosives from a car in Rajasthan in March 2022. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) then took over the probe from the Pune police on July 22. Forensic investigation confirmed that the white powder seized from the accused was an explosive substance. ATS invoked sections of the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against the accused for their alleged involvement in terrorist activities, while posing as 'graphic designers' in Pune. ATS also claimed to have recovered bomb-making material such as 'chemical powder, charcoal, thermometer, dropper, soldering gun, multimeter, small bulbs, batteries, alarm clock,' from the accused. ATS arrested a few more suspects, including Abdul Kadir Pathan, an IT engineer S N Kazi for allegedly providing shelter and funds. ATS also seized maps, Urdu and Arabic literature, and retrieved about 500 GB of data from the electronic devices of the accused, which carried images of various locations in Pune and other areas, including the Chabad house in Mumbai. NIA takes over probe On June 23, 2023, the NIA registered the 'Maharashtra ISIS terror module case' and arrested six people: Tabish Nasser Siddiqui from Mumbai, Zubair Noor Mohammed Shaikh alias Abu Nusaiba and Dr Adnan Ali Sarkar from Pune, Sharjeel Shaikh, Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, and Aakif Ateeque Nachan from Padgha in Thane. The probe revealed that Aakif Nachan and Barodawala worked 'in collaboration' with the ATS case suspects. ATS took Barodawala into custody on August 1, 2023, suspecting him to be the 'handler' of Khan, Saki and Pathan. But considering the common links, the NIA then took over the probe from ATS on August 7 and named it the Pune ISIS Module case. Investigations revealed that Barodawala was a key accused, who along with his associates, played a role in raising the ISIS Sleeper Cell in Maharashtra. The probe revealed that Barodawala resided in Kondhwa between 2017 and 2022. He allegedly trained Khan, Saki and Alam in making bombs at their Kondhwa house. ATS alleged that they tested the bombs at a secluded spot in the Ghat section in Pune, along with certain locations in the forest areas of Satara and Kolhapur. As per a press release by NIA, Barodawala and his associates even 'shared relevant material, including 'Do It Yourself kits (DIY)' among themselves for the fabrication of IEDs and manufacture of small weapons, pistols…' 11 accused chargesheeted In November 2023, the NIA chargesheeted seven accused, including Khan, Saki, Pathan, Kazi, Barodawala, Akif Nachan and Shamil Nachan in the Pune ISIS Module case. Further, in March 2024, a chargesheet was filed against Alam and three wanted accused: Rizwan Ali of Delhi, Abdulla Faiyaz Shaikh alias Daiperwala, and Talha Liyakat Khan of Kondhwa, Pune. Meanwhile, Rizwan Ali was arrested by the Delhi Police's Special Cell in August 2024. NIA took his custody this month for investigation. Before that, in May this year, NIA arrested Abdulla Shaikh and Talha, after they 'were intercepted by the Bureau of Immigration at the Mumbai International Airport' when they returned to India from Jakarta, Indonesia, where they had been 'hiding out.' The probe revealed that Rizwan got involved in ISIS after being radicalised through social media. In 2017, he befriended Alam, who came to Delhi from Jharkhand for studies. In 2022, the duo came in touch with Khan and Saki. All four were indoctrinated to join the ISIS operations. NIA alleged that the accused had recced the areas of Western Ghats for potential hideouts. The agency also claimed to have recovered handwritten notes taken by the accused at the time of their IED fabrication training in Pune. A drone, clothes, and a knife used during the 'bayath' (oath), taken in the name of the Khalifa of ISIS, were also recovered, the NIA stated. Chandan Haygunde is an assistant editor with The Indian Express with 15 + years of experience in covering issues related to Crime, Courts, National Security and Human Rights. He has been associated with The Indian Express since 2007. Chandan has done investigative reporting on incidents of terrorism, left wing extremism, espionage cases, wildlife crimes, narcotics racket, cyber crimes and sensational murder cases in Pune and other parts of Maharashtra. While working on the 'Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Fellowship on Tigers, Tiger Habitats and Conservation' in 2012, he reported extensively on the illegal activities in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. He has done in-depth reporting on the cases related to the Koregaon Bhima violence in Pune and hearings of the 'Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry'. ... Read More Sushant Kulkarni is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express in Pune with 12+ years of experience covering issues related to Crime, Defence, Internal Security and Courts. He has been associated with the Indian Express since July 2010. Sushant has extensively reported on law and order issues of Pune and surrounding area, Cyber crime, narcotics trade and terrorism. His coverage in the Defence beat includes operational aspects of the three services, the defence research and development and issues related to key defence establishments. He has covered several sensitive cases in the courts at Pune. Sushant is an avid photographer, plays harmonica and loves cooking. ... Read More
India.com
29-06-2025
- India.com
Terror accused Saquib Nachan dies in custody, who was he and what was his ISIS connection?
Terror accused Saquib Nachan dies in custody, who was he and what was his ISIS connection? New Delhi: ISIS-linked convicted terrorist Saquib Nachan died in Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday during treatment. He was admitted to the hospital due to a declining health condition. Nachan was incarcerated in Tihar Jail in December 2023. He was first referred to Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital on June 22 and later brought to Safdarjung Hospital on June 25. Saquib Nachan's body will be released to his family after the post-mortem. Who was Saquib Nanchan? Saquib Nanchan was one of the accused of 2002 and 2003 Mumbai bomb blasts case and was facing conviction. In 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) apprehended Nachan, citing his alleged participation in promoting ISIS activities. ISIS is designated a foreign terrorist organization. He held the position of self-proclaimed Amir-e-Hind for ISIS in India. What NIA said? As per NIA, Nanchan was involved in the creation, instruction and assessment of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These IEDs were intended for terrorist operations. NIA stated that he joined hands with other accused forming a group known as Pune ISIS module case. He was jailed for 10 years, following his conviction in 2016. As per NIA reports, he was the primary accused in the case. He was also the leader who took the 'bayath' oath of allegiance to the self-styled 'Khalifa' of ISIS for new members. NIA allege that the accused established a village as an autonomous base for purported anti-national activities. In June 2024, NIA indicted him and sixteen other individuals linked to ISIS. The charges levelled against him was alleged conspiracy to recruit youth, making explosives and spread ISIS ideology in India. Nanchan was also associated with making IED in connection with the Delhi-Padgha ISIS terror module case. Maharashtra ATS Conducted Searches The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) conducted searches at more than 20 locations in Borivali and Padgha in early June and detained several suspects. These suspects included Nachan's relatives, who were later released after thorough questioning. Following the April 22nd Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, authorities conducted searches to identify individuals supporting terrorist activities. Increased police presence is evident in Padgha and Bhiwandi in anticipation of a funeral, with officials monitoring the situation closely.
India Gazette
29-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Was admitted due to health issues": Tihar officials after ISIS-linked terror accused Saquib Nachan dies
New Delhi [India], June 29 (ANI): Saquib Nachan, a convicted terrorist linked to the Islamic State (ISIS), died at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi on Saturday while undergoing treatment for health issues, according to Tihar Jail officials. Nachan had been lodged in Tihar Jail Number 1 since December 27, 2023 and was shifted to the hospital due to deteriorating health. On June 22, he was referred to Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital due to health issues and later shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on June 25. Around 4 pm, Tihar administration was informed that Nachan had died at 11.30 am on Saturday. Saquib was convicted for his involvement in the 2002 and 2003 Mumbai bomb blasts and was also a self-styled Amir-e-Hind for ISIS in India. In June 2024, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) chargesheeted him along with 16 other hardcore ISIS agents for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to recruit and radicalise youth, fabricate explosives, and spread ISIS ideology in India and the fabrication of improvised explosive devices in the Delhi-Padgha ISIS terror module case. The accused were chargesheeted under various sections of IPC, UA(P) Act, Arms Act and Explosive Substances Act, were found to have been engaged in a massive ISISI conspiracy involving recruitment, training and propagation of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) ideology among gullible youth, along with fabrication of explosives and IEDs and fund-raising for the banned outfit. Its investigation had subsequently led to the seizure of several incriminating documents and data relating to the manufacturing of explosives and the fabrication of IEDs, along with propaganda magazines like 'Voice of Hind', 'Rumiyah', 'Khilafat', 'Dabiq', published by IS. The agency had further found during investigations that the accused had been sharing digital files related to IED fabrication with their contacts. They were also found to be actively raising funds to further their terror plans as part of the ISIS agenda to spread violence in India and destroy its secular ethos and democratic systems. The accused had carried out several acts preparatory to unleashing terrorist attacks, including the recruitment of vulnerable youth into the organisation. (ANI)
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Time of India
Who was Saquib Nachan? ISIS-linked terror accused dies in Delhi hospital; Tihar officials say 'was admitted due to health issues'
Saquib Nachan, an ISIS-linked convicted terrorist, who was convicted for his involvement in 2002-03 Mumbai blast NEW DELHI: Saquib Nachan, an ISIS-linked convicted terrorist, died at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi on Saturday while receiving medical treatment, as confirmed by Tihar Jail authorities. Nachan was incarcerated in Tihar Jail Number 1 from December 27, 2023, before being transferred to a hospital due to his declining health condition. His medical journey involved an initial referral to Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital on June 22, followed by a transfer to Safdarjung Hospital on June 25. The Tihar administration received notification at 4 pm that Nachan had expired at 11.30 am on Saturday, according to ANI. His remains will be released to his family following post-mortem examination, with the final rites scheduled for Sunday at Borivali village near Padgha. Who was Saquib Nanchan? Saquib faced conviction for his role in the Mumbai bomb blasts of 2002 and 2003, and held the position of self-proclaimed Amir-e-Hind for ISIS in India. The NIA's 2023 arrest of Nachan was based on allegations of his active involvement in promoting ISIS terrorist activities, the designated foreign terrorist organisation. The agency alleged his participation in the creation, instruction and assessment of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) intended for terrorist operations. According to the federal agency, Nachan collaborated with other accused individuals in what became known as the Pune ISIS module case. Sources indicate that his son and legal representative visited him in hospital earlier this week. Following his conviction in 2016 for the 2002-03 Mumbai bomb blasts, Nachan completed a 10-year sentence before release, according to the official. In 2023, the National Investigation Agency apprehended Nachan and others for alleged terrorist activities, including IED production to advance the agenda of the banned ISIS organisation. NIA reports identified Nachan as the primary accused and self-proclaimed leader who administered the 'Bayath' oath of allegiance to the self-styled 'Khalifa' of ISIS for new members. Investigation agencies reported that the accused had declared the village an independent zone and centre for their alleged anti-national operations. In June 2024, the NIA filed charges against him and 16 other ISIS operatives. The charges pertained to their alleged conspiracy to recruit youth, produce explosives, propagate ISIS ideology in India, and manufacture improvised explosive devices in connection with the Delhi-Padgha ISIS terror module case. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) conducted extensive searches at 22 locations in Borivali and Padgha in early June, briefly detaining several suspects, including Nachan's relatives, who were released after questioning. "Two separate cases were registered in connection with these searches, which were based on specific inputs that Nachan and his associates had brainwashed and instigated people from the village to participate in anti-national activities," the official said. The ATS statement indicated the searches were part of measures following the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at identifying anti-national elements providing logistical support for terrorist activities. Police have increased security presence in Padgha and neighbouring Bhiwandi in preparation for Nachan's final rites. "We are keeping a tab on the situation," said a police official.
Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
ISIS terror suspect Saquib Nachan dies in hospital
MUMBAI: Saquib Abdul Hamid Nachan, terror suspect from Padgha on the outskirts of Mumbai, died in a Delhi hospital on Saturday. Nachan was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his alleged links to the banned Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in December 2023, along with 15 other alleged ISIS members. They were picked up by the federal investigating agency during searches in Padgha, a village in Thane district, as part of a nationwide crackdown on ISIS. Thane, India - November 22, 2017: Saquib Nachan convict of 2003 bomb blast case. (Photo by Praful Gangurde/ Hindustan Times) (Praful Gangurde) Nachan had been lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail but suffered a stroke on Tuesday, when was admitted to Deendayal Upadhyay Hospital for treatment. He was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on Wednesday. Nachan's lawyer Samsher Ansari said doctors declared him dead at around 11.30am on Saturday. NIA officials claim Nachan had suffered strokes twice before. Ansari said jail authorities informed the family on Monday and he, along with Nachan's elder son, rushed to Delhi. He filed an application in the Patiala House Courts so that his client could be shifted to a facility where he could receive specialised treatment. The 67-year-old terror suspect, an alleged key ISIS operative in Maharashtra, was a former office-bearer of the banned Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). Over the years, he has been linked to various terror outfits and convicted in several terror cases. He also served a ten-year prison sentence for the series of bomb blasts at railway stations in Mumbai in 2002-03, which killed more than ten people. According to the NIA, Nachan was recruiting impressionable Muslim youth to become hardline extremists. He had declared Padgha village a 'liberated zone' and encouraged youth to relocate to the village, where they were allegedly trained to wage war against the Indian state. The NIA says Nachan was the self-declared leader of these youth and administered bayath (oath of allegiance to the Khalifa of ISIS) to people joining the ISIS module in Padgha. In December 2023, NIA conducted searches at 44 locations in Maharashtra and Karnataka, in a joint operation with the Anti-Terror Squad. They claimed to have found weapons, cash and Hamas flags in Padgha, Kalyan, Mira Road and Pune, and in some places in Bengaluru. The accused, the NIA had said, were operating on the directions of foreign handlers and had been involved in terrorist activities, including the manufacture of improvised explosive devices IEDs), to further the violent agenda of ISIS.
