29 August 2024

India: Global Terror And Failure To Launch – Analysis

Ajit Kumar Singh

On August 22, 2024, the Delhi Police Special Cell uncovered a terrorist network linked to Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), arresting 11 suspects and detaining three others, in raids at 15 locations across three states, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Six suspects – Hasan Ansari, Enamul Ansari, Altaf Ansari, Arshad Khan, Umar Farooq, and Shahbaz Ansari – all residents of Jharkhand, were arrested in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, while undergoing weapons training. They had been residing in Rajasthan for the preceding few days. Another five more suspects – Ishtiyaq Ahmed, Motiur, Rizwan, Mufti Rahmatullah, and Faizan – were arrested in Ranchi, Jharkhand, following the arrest of and disclosures by, the six arrested earlier. Three suspects were also detained from Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, for questioning.

A cache of arms, ammunition and other materials were recovered during the operation, including one AK-47 rifle, a .38 bore revolver, six live cartridges of .38 bore, 30 live cartridges of .32 bore, and 30 live cartridges for the AK-47. A dummy INSAS rifle, an air rifle, an iron elbow pipe, one hand grenade, some wire, a 1.5-volt AA battery, a table watch, four ground sheets, a target, a camping tent, and various food items such as biscuits, a packet of chips, and a water bottle.

According to reports, members of the terrorist module received training, including weapons handling, at various locations, such as the jungles of the Aravalli Hills in Rajasthan. According to the Police, the module, active for several months, with its members coordinating through social media, was planning to carry out a terrorist attack in northern India during the upcoming festive season.

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