NIA files charge sheet against seven in Pune ISIS terror module case 

05 November, 2023

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken a significant step in the fight against terrorism by filing a Chargesheet against seven individuals involved in a conspiracy related to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). 

The accused were involved in the collection and raising of funds for the terrorist organisation with the intentions to further its activities relating to terror and violence. 

Furthermore, the accused were found to be organising terrorist training camps, harboring known and wanted terrorists, and committing acts preparatory to the fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). 

Additionally, they were also found in possession of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), firearms, and ammunition.

The accused have been chargesheeted before the Hon’ble NIA Special Court in Mumbai, under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P) Act), Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in NIA RC-05/2023/NIA/MUM.

The seven accused individuals, who have been arrested and charged, are as follows:

Mohammad Imran Mohammad Yusuf Khan @ Matka @ Aamir Abdul Hameed Khan (A-1) – resident of Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh

Mohammad Yunus Mohammad Yakub Saki @ Adil @ Adil Saleem Khan (A-2) – resident of Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh

Kadeer Dastagir Pathan @ Abdul Kadeer (A-3) – resident of Kondwa, Pune

Seemab Nasiruddin Kazi (A-4) – resident of Kondwa, Pune

Zulfikar Ali Barodawala @ Lalabhai @ Lala @ Saif (A-5) – resident of Padgha, Thane

Shamil Saquib Nachan (A-6) – resident of Padgha, Thane 

Aakif Ateeque Nachan (A-7) – resident of Padgha, Thane

The investigations revealed that the accused persons in the instant case are members of the ISIS, a proscribed terrorist organisation under Schedule-I of the UA (P) Act 1967 and had hatched a conspiracy to further the terrorist activities of ISIS, with the intention to strike terror amongst the people and threaten the security, integrity, and sovereignty of India. 

Investigations by the NIA uncovered a larger conspiracy with international connections and the involvement of foreign-based ISIS handlers in the ongoing case. The investigation has unveiled a complex network of individuals committed to propagating the extremist ideology of ISIS within India.

The accused individuals, as part of this network, took an oath of allegiance (Bayath) to the self-styled Khalifa (leader) of the ISIS and were found to be involved in the fabrication of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Their intentions were to carry out acts of terrorism on Indian soil. The accused conducted extensive reconnaissance missions (Recce) across multiple States, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Telangana, and others. Their aim was to identify potential targets for planting and detonating the fabricated IEDs, posing a significant threat to national security.

They had meticulous plans for evading arrest following the potential blasts.

As part of their escape plan, these individuals identified remote and deep forests as possible hideouts and used drones for reconnaissance to locate suitable camping locations while on the run. The accused were also found to be collecting funds from various sources, both within India and abroad, to finance their terror designs and plans.

The case was initially registered as FIR no. 175/2023 dated 19.07.2023, encompassing various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Arms Act, and the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951. Subsequently, on 30.08.2023, the NIA took over the case, leading to its re-registration as RC-05/2023/NIA/Mumbai.

Notably, NIA arrested 8th accused Mohammad Shahnawaz Alam S/o. Shafiur Rahman Alam on 02.11.2023 for active involvement in promoting terrorist activities of the designated foreign terrorist organisation. 

Further investigation of this case is continuing in accordance with the provisions of section 173(8) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)