Major Bust: NIA Catches Two Wanted ISIS Suspects in Indonesia
Mumbai, India – In a significant development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended two highly sought-after terror suspects, Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh and Talha Liyakat Khan, in Indonesia. The duo, linked to an ISIS module operating in Pune, has been brought back to Mumbai where they are expected to face a court.
These arrests mark a major breakthrough in an ongoing investigation into a chilling plot by the ISIS-backed group to carry out terror attacks across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and other parts of India.
Deadly Plans Uncovered
The NIA alleges that Shaikh and Khan were deeply involved in various nefarious activities. They are accused of organizing workshops to build improvised explosive devices (IEDs), scouting forests for firing practice and safe havens, and collecting funds for terror activities through robberies and thefts.
On the Run for Two Years
Shaikh, also known as Diaparwala, hailed from Mithanagar, Kondhwa, while Khan resided in Wanowrie, Pune. Both men had been evading authorities for over two years, with non-bailable warrants issued against them by the NIA Special Court in Mumbai. The NIA had even placed a cash reward of Rs. 3 lakh on each of them.
Part of a Larger Conspiracy
These arrests come as part of a larger probe into a criminal conspiracy involving the two men and eight other members of the Pune ISIS sleeper module, who have already been arrested and are in judicial custody. The group allegedly conspired to commit acts of terror to disrupt India’s peace and communal harmony by waging war against the Indian government, all in an effort to establish Islamic rule through violence and fear.
IED Factory and a Deadly Test
The NIA revealed that Shaikh and Khan had been assembling IEDs in a rented house in Kondhwa, Pune. They even organized and participated in a bomb-making and training workshop during 2022-2023. To test their deadly handiwork, they carried out a controlled explosion using a fabricated IED.
The Full List of Accused
Besides Shaikh and Khan, the other individuals arrested in this case are Mohammed Imran Khan, Mohammed Yunus Saki, Abdul Kadir Pathan, Simab Nasiruddin Kazi, Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, Shamil Nachan, Akif Nachan, and Shahnawaz Alam.
Seized Properties Reveal the Conspiracy
Earlier, the NIA confiscated multiple properties in Kondhwa linked to the accused. These residential flats and houses were allegedly used for IED-making training and planning terror activities. In total, 11 individuals have been formally charged in this case (RC 05/2023/NIA/MUM).
The case continues to unfold, with the NIA determined to uncover the full extent of the ISIS module’s operations and bring all those involved to justice.
