Islamist/Other Conflicts: Timeline (Terrorist Activities) -2023

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered 73 cases, including 35 cases of Jihadi terror, in 2022, a 19.67 per cent increase from the 61 cases registered in 2021 and the highest in the last three years, reports The Indian Express. NIA officials asserted that around 60 cases each were filed by the agency in 2019 and 2020. An NIA spokesperson stated, “We have registered 73 cases in 2022, which is a 19.67 per cent increase from the 61 cases registered in 2021 and is an all-time high for the NIA. These cases include 35 cases of Jihadi terror in states such as J&K, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal, 11 other cases in J&K, 10 related to Left Wing Extreme (LWE), five related to insurgents in the northeast, seven related to the Popular Front of India (PFI), four of Punjab, three cases of gangster-terror-drug smuggler nexus, one case of terror funding and two Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN)-related cases.” The spokesperson also stated, “The NIA has filed 59 chargesheets in 2022 against 368 persons and judgements have been pronounced in 38 cases, all of which have ended in conviction. In all, 109 persons have been convicted to rigorous imprisonment along with fine. Six life sentences have also been awarded. Overall conviction rate as on date is 94.39 per cent. Eight persons have been designated as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and necessary action against them is being taken by the NIA”. Read less...

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, made an attack on Pakistan on January 3, terming it as "epicentre of terrorism", reports NDTV. He said that the impacts of cross-border terrorism cannot be limited within a region, especially when they are deeply linked to the drugs and illegal weapons trade, as well as other forms of international crime. Jaishankar had a detailed discussion on the threats to international peace and security that are posed by terrorism, including its cross-border practices, violent extremism, radicalisation and fundamentalism with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg on January 3. In reference to the Mumbai 2008 terror attacks (26/11), he said, “This is a country which has attacked the Parliament of India some years ago, which attacked the city of Mumbai, which went after hotels, and foreign tourists, which every day sends terrorists across the border.” He also hit out at the European countries for not condemning Pakistan. "When we speak about judgments and principles, why don't I hear sharp European condemnation of these practices that have been going on for decades?" he said. Read less...

Aijaz Ahmad Ahanger alias Abu Usman Al-Kashmiri, currently based in Afghanistan, one of the chief recruiters of Islamic State Jammu and Kashmir (ISJK), was declared as an individual terrorist by Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) declared through a notification on January 4, reports Daily Excelsior. He also has contacts with al-Qaeda and other global terrorist groups and is engaged in restarting the Islamic State (IS) in India, He has been designated as the individual terrorist under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967. UMHA said Ahanger, appointed as the head of Islamic State (IS) recruitment cell for India, is working towards providing traction to militancy in Kashmir and has started the process of identifying people for inclusion in his Kashmir based network. He has also been instrumental in initiating an online India-centric ISIS propaganda magazine. Read less...

The members of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political wing of the Popular Front of India (PFI) acted like a terrorist gang, the magisterial inquiry into the KG Halli and DJ Halli violence concluded on January 4, reports One India. The report said that the SDPI conspired to strike terror among the people and Police authorities. "During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that the accused persons conspired with each other to form an unlawful assembly to protest against the decisions of courts and government in cases relating to the Citizenship Amendment Act, the National Register of Citizens (NRC), The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act (popularly known as Triple Talaq Act) and the final judgment in the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi dispute," the report also said. Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 5, conducted searches at six locations in Karnataka in four Districts of Dakshina Kannada, Shivamogga, Davanagere and Bengaluru and arrested two Islamic State (IS) militants, identified as Reshaan Thajuddin Sheikh, a resident of Varamballi, Bramhavar, Udupi District and Huzair Farhan Baig, a resident of 1st main, 7th Cross, Tippu Sultan Nagar, Shivamogga District, reports The New Indian Express. The place of arrest is yet to be disclosed. The case relates to a conspiracy hatched by the accused to further the terror activities of the IS and to endanger the unity, security and sovereignty of the country. The investigation revealed that Reshaan was radicalised by Maaz Muneer, another accused arrested earlier on September 20. The arrested duo received funds from their IS handler through Crypto-wallets for furthering the terrorist activities of the Islamic State. It was also revealed that as part of their larger designs, the accused also indulged in arson and targeting of vehicles and other establishments, such as liquor shops, godowns, transformers etc. Digital devices and incriminating documents were seized from the houses of the accused and the suspects during the search operation. Read less...

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) on January 5, declared militant outfit The Resistance Front (TRF), as a terrorist organisation, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act- UAPA 1967, reports Daily Excelsior. The ministry made the announcement through a notification, mentioning that “the activities of TRF are detrimental for the national security and sovereignty of India”, reports ABPLive. The UMHA stated that the TRF, is recruiting youth by using online media to further terrorist activities. The notification also states that the TRF has been involved in carrying out propaganda of terror activities, recruitment of terrorists, infiltration of terrorists, and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir. Through the notification, the UMHA also designated Sheikh Sajjad Gul, a ‘commander’ of TRF, a terrorist under the fourth schedule of UAPA. Through another notification the UMHA also designated Mohammed Amin alias Abu Khubaib, acting as the ‘launching commander’ of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) as a terrorist. Read less...

Mumbai Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) youth wing leader Tajinder Tiwana has filed a complaint with the Bangur Nagar Police station in Mumbai City District, alleging that he received threatening text messages from a spokesperson, identified as Sandeep Singh, for the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Khalsa, Hindustan Times reports on January 7. The sender threatened Tiwana and his family with death if he did not resign from the BJP. Read less...

National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval on January 6, met his counterpart, the visiting Diplomatic Adviser to the French President, Emmanuel Bonne, and reiterated their commitment to take forward their strategic partnership to ensure peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific based on common beliefs in rules-based international order and strategic autonomy, reports The Indian Express. The French Embassy in Delhi stated that they discussed aspects of the Indo-French strategic partnership which includes defence and security cooperation, major international and regional issues, including the war in Ukraine, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, counter-terrorism cooperation, cyber-security, space and civil nuclear energy. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the agenda included discussions on the situation in Afghanistan, Africa, South East Asia, Eurasia; Third Country Cooperation; cooperation in the lndo-Pacific, nuclear energy, space and cyber domains. Read less...

The Intelligence Bureau (IB) started enquiry over the social media accounts of the Popular Front of India (PFI), on January 6, that function secretly against the National Investigation Agency (NIA), reports english.janamtv.com. The investigation agencies have taken up working of the social media group that supports religious terrorists. It has been reported that secret meetings and group discussions of the PFI are still taking place even after the outfit has been banned. Read less...

The international jihadist group, Al-Qaeda in the latest issue of their journal Ghazwa-e-Hind threatened that it will demolish the Ram temple being built in Ayodhya and replace it with a mosque, reports indileak.com on January 7. The magazine, which was published online by jihadist channels, also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, advising them not to disregard its exhortations as “propaganda of the Pakistani establishment,” and urged Indian Muslims to support jihad (holy war). Al-Qaeda stated in the magazine, “Just as the Ram temple is being built on the ruins of the Babri Masjid, it will be demolished, and the Babri Masjid will be rebuilt over the place of the idols in the name of Allah.” Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 6, arrested a student of a mechanical engineering college in Bangaluru, identified as Rihan Shaikh for his suspected links with the cooker blast that took place in Mangaluru on November 19, 2022, reports Daiji World. The NIA officials raided the flat of the accused, situated at Varamballi, Brahmavar taluk in Udupi District in Karnataka and took into custody a few documents and questioned the family members of Rihan. The NIA revealed that the Rihan had close contact with suspected Islamic State (IS) terrorist Maaz Muneer, who was earlier arrested on September 20 from Shivamogga and was said to done experimental blast on Tunga river bank near Purale of Shivamogga. Read less...

A person identified as Abdullah Saood Ansari, a resident of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh who was arrested by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) on September 30, 2022 for his suspected links with the Popular Front of India (PFI) was granted bail by the Hon’ble Additional District and Sessions Judge, Special Judge NIA/ Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) Lucknow on January 7, reports muslimmirror.com. It was suspected that the accused was working as an active member of PFI from the year 2017. However, the investigating officer in the case found no evidence to prove the connection of the accused to the PFI. Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 7, filed a chargesheet against a person, identified as Marghoob Ahmad Danish alias Tahir, a resident of Phulwari Sharif in Patna in connection with the 'Ghazwa-e-Hind' case relating to the radicalization of impressionable youth over various social media platforms, before a special court in Patna, reports India Tv News. An NIA spokesperson stated that investigations revealed that Danish was the admin of WhatsApp group 'Ghazwa E Hind' created by a Pakistani national namely Zain, and had added many people from India as well as other countries to the group in order to radicalize them and constitute them into sleeper cells for carrying out terrorist activities. The NIA spokesperson also asserted that, "Danish had created the said 'Ghazwa E Hind' group on different social media platforms viz WhatsApp, Telegram, and Bip Messenger. He had also created another WhatsApp group in the name of 'BDGhazwa E HindBD' and had added Bangladeshi nationals." Read less...

The Special Task Force (STF) of the Kolkata Police on January 7, arrested two persons, suspected to be terrorists allied to Islamic State (IS), from Aftabuddin Munshi Lane of Tikiapara area in Howrah District in West Bengal, reports The Indian Express. “Both persons are involved in spreading tentacles of the terror group in Howrah. We are questioning them to understand more about their roles,” said an unnamed officer, adding that they were also involved in “brainwashing local youths towards anti-national activities”. Read less...

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) through a notification on January 7, banned People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), an offshoot of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), reports India Tv News. The notification stated that PAFF is a proxy outfit of Maulana Masood Azhar-led Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and it is involved in regularly issuing threats to security forces, political leaders and civilians working in Jammu and Kashmir from other states. The notification also stated that “The PAFF along with other organisations is indulging in radicalization of impressionable youth for the purpose of recruitment and training in handling guns, ammunition and explosives.”, further reports The Indian Express. Read less...

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) through a notification on January 7, designated Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) operative Dr Asif Maqbool Dar as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, reports newindian.in. The notification reads, “Dr. Asif Maqbool, who is resident of Bandi Payeen, Wagoora, Baramulla, presently based at Daman, Ash Sharqiyah, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, is associated with terror outfit Hizb-ul- Mujahideen. The said Dr. Asif Maqbool Dar is involved in instigating the youth of Kashmir Valley for terrorist activities by using social media platforms.” According to the UMHA, Dr Asif Maqbool Dar is one of the leading radical voices on social media and is involved in nefariously influencing Kashmiri youth to take up arms against the Indian government and security forces. The UMHA further stated that Dr. Asif Maqbool Dar is accused in a case investigated by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) relating to a conspiracy hatched by the cadres of the terrorist organization to undertake violent terrorist acts in Jammu and Kashmir and major cities in India including New Delhi on the direction of handlers based across the border. Dr. Asif Maqbool is the 52nd person to be declared as a terrorist under the UAPA. Read less...

The Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata (West Bengal) Police on January 8, arrested a former member of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), identified as Abdul Raqib Qureshi, a resident of the Khanshahwali locality in the Khandwa District in Madhya Pradesh, from Khandwa District, reports The Indian Express. The accused had links with two suspected Islamic State (IS) terrorists, namely Mohammad Saddam alias Abdul Mallick and Sayeed Ahmed – who were arrested from Howrah (Howrah District), West Bengal, on January 6. His association with the two arrested terrorists, points to his involvement with the terror outfit. He has a history of association with fundamentalist organisations, adds NDTV. Abdul Rakib has been associated with SIMI and three cases, including two Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), were registered against him in the past. He has also been sentenced in three crimes out of which he has completed the sentence in two cases and he has been on bail in the third case since 2019. Read less...

A Special Court in Mumbai on January 9, granted 10-year sentence to a ‘gutka’ manufacturer, identified as Joshi and two other persons, namely Jamiruddin Ansari and Farukh Mansuri for aiding Dawood Ibrahim in setting up a ‘gutka’ plant in Pakistan’s Karachi, reports msn.com. The three persons were convicted under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and Indian Penal Code (IPC) provisions by special judge BD Shelke. As per the prosecution, there was a monetary dispute between Joshi and co-accused Rasiklal Dhariwal, and the two sought the help of Ibrahim to resolve the dispute. The prosecution stated that in return for settling the dispute, Dawood sought their assistance to set up a ‘gutka’ unit in Karachi in 2002. Read less...

Intelligence sources stated that Pakistan-based terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are planning a major attack on the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya (earlier known as Faizabad) in Uttar Pradesh in an attempt to foment Hindu-Muslim communal violence, reports news18.com on January 10. Sources further revealed that the JeM and LeT would be bringing ammunition and suicide bombers from Nepal to carry out the attack. Read less...

On January 9, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a major logistics provider, identified as Chhotu Ram Bhaat, from an unspecified location, on the allegations that he was acting a weapons supplier and was also providing hideouts to the gangsters of the Bambiha group before and after different crimes committed by them, reports NIA press release. On December 21, 2022, the NIA conducted searches at two locations in Sirsa District in Haryana (including the house of Chhotu Bhaat in Chautala village in Sirsa District in Haryana) to dismantle the emerging nexus between terrorists, gangsters and weapon suppliers based in India and abroad. "They were taking advantage of the border location of their hideout with Punjab. Further, investigations will continue to dismantle such terror networks as well as their funding and support infrastructure," the NIA press release stated. Read less...

The Delhi High Court on January 9, disposed of the petitions of two leaders of the Popular Front of India (PFI), identified as Mohd Perwez Ahmad, who was the president of PFI's Delhi unit, and its office secretary Abdul Muqeet, seeking for interim bail in a money laundering case, stating that they should wait for the trial court's order in the matter, reports theweek.in. The two persons had sought interim bail in the case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as the agency failed to file a charge sheet within the stipulated period of 60 days from arrest which expired on November 21, 2022. Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 9, filed a chargesheet before a special NIA court in Patna in Bihar, against four persons accused in the Bihar Popular Front of India (PFI) case, identified as Athar Parvej, Md Jalaluddin Khan, Nooruddin Zangi alias Advocate Nooruddin and Arman Malick alias Md Imteyaz Anwer, pointing “criminal conspiracy was hatched with an intention to carry out acts of terror and violence, leading to an atmosphere of terror and endangering the unity and integrity of the nation”, reports The Print. All the accused are residents of different districts in Bihar and have been charge-sheeted under IPC and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. The case pertains to the involvement of the accused and suspected persons, associated with the PFI in unlawful and anti-national activities, who assembled in Phulwari Sharif area of Patna. The case was initially registered on July 12, 2022 at Phulwarisharif Police Station in Patna and re-registered by the NIA on July 22, 2022. The NIA chargesheet stated, “Investigations revealed that the criminal conspiracy was hatched with an intention to carry out acts of terror and violence, leading to an atmosphere of terror and endangering the unity and integrity of the nation.” Read less...

A Court in Gujarat's Devbhumi Dwarka on January 10, extended till January 16 the Gujarat Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) custody of three of 10 Pakistani nationals arrested on December 26, with a boat for smuggling heroin worth Rs 300 crore along with arms and ammunition, reports PTI News. SATP had earlier reported the news of this arrest on December 27, 2022. The court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, KR Yadav, remanded the seven other crew members in judicial custody in the Jamnagar jail in Gujarat. The ATS, Gujarat had requested the extension of custody of the three crew members of the boat after the 12-day remand of all the ten Pakistani nationals expired on January 10. Read less...

A special NIA court in Kerala on January 10, sentenced an Islamic State (IS) terrorist, identified as Muhammad Polakanni, a resident of Kozhikode in Kerala, who was arrested on September 18, 2020 at the Delhi airport on his arrival from Georgia, to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment for planning to carry out attacks on various targets including foreigners in the country, reports siasat.com. An NIA spokesperson stated that Muhammad Polakanni was the ninth accused convicted in a case relating to the conspiracy and consequent formation of the IS/Daesh-inspired terrorist module Ansarul Khilafa-Kerala in early 2016 by some youths which was registered suo motu by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on October 1, 2016. Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) brought four co-accused of Jamessha Mubin (prime accused in the Coimbatore blast case), identified as Mohammed Riyas, Mohammed Nawaz Ismail, Sanofar Ali and Mohammed Thoufeek, from NIA custody at Chennai to Coimbatore for investigating the case, canindia.com reports on January 11. The accused were taken to the deceased Jameesha Mubin’s residence where he stayed with his family. Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 10 arrested two suspected operatives of the Islamic State (IS), identified as Mazin Abdul Rahman and Nadeem Ahmed, both belonging to Karnataka, from an unspecified location in Karnataka, reports The Hindu. They were arrested in the Shivamogga conspiracy case. With this, the total number of arrests in the case have reached to six. Read less...

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 11 conducted raids at over four locations in Karnataka, including at a building in Thirthahalli taluk (administrative division) of Shivamogga District, owned by a person with suspected links to Mohammed Shariq, main accused in the Mangaluru blast case, reports The Print. The raids were conducted to probe “terror financing” in connection to the Mangaluru blast case of November 19, 2022. According to sources, the ED had registered a fresh case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to probe “money generated for terror activities” and where it had been spent. Read less...

On January 12, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Melbourne, Australia was vandalised by unidentified Khalistan supporters by painting the walls with "Hindu-stan Murdabad" (down with India), reports Australia Today. The Khalistan group also praised Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a militant leader of the Sikh organization Damdami Taksal and wrote ‘Martyr’ on the temple’s walls. Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 12, raided total nine places, four places each in Jaipur and Kota, and one in Sawai Madhopur Districts in Rajasthan in a case related to the conspiracy of the Popular Front of India (PFI) to promote hatred between different religious groups and carry out terrorist acts in the country, reports latestly.com. NIA stated that the case is related to secret information received from reliable sources that Sadiq Sarraf, a resident of Shyopuriyon Ki Masjid in Baran District of Rajasthan, and Mohammed Asif, a resident of Retipada in Kota, of PFI along with officer bearers and members of the PFI are indulging in unlawful activities. NIA revealed that digital devices (mobile phones, SIM cards), sharp-edged knives, and incriminating material, literature and posters were recovered during the search operation. Read less...

The Special Cell of Delhi Police on January 12, arrested two persons from Jahangirpuri in Delhi, identified as Jagjit Singh alias Jagga, a resident of Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand, and Naushad, a resident of Jahangirpuri in Delhi, over their suspected links with terror organisations and involvement in heinous crimes, reports The Print. Delhi Police spokesperson Suman Nalwa revealed that Jagga had suspected links with a Canada-based Khalistani terrorist and is a member of the notorious 'Bambiha' gang and had been getting instructions from anti-national elements based abroad while Naushad had suspected links with terror organisation 'Harkat ul-Ansar'. Three pistols and 22 live cartridges were recovered during the arrest. Read less...

A special NIA Court in Bengaluru on January 13, awarded seven-year rigorous imprisonment to four members of the proscribed outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), identified as Kador Kazi alias Mijanur Rahaman, Mustafizur Rahman alias Tuhin, Adil Sheikh alias Asadullah, and Abdul Karim alias Korim, in a case pertaining to the seizure of large quantities of electrical and electronics items, tools, chemical apparatus, containers used for fabrication of bombs and Improvised Explosive Device IEDs from the hideout of the JMB operatives, reports daijiworld.com. The case was initially registered by Karnataka Police in Bengaluru in 2019 and registered by NIA later. The NIA stated, "Our investigations established that the accused had raised funds by committing dacoity at various places in Bengaluru with the intention of furthering the activities of JMB in India. They had also collected explosive materials and test fired a rocket launcher for commission of terror acts. The proceeds of crime in the form of gold was sold by the accused for raising funds for carrying out terror activities. Eleven accused have been arrested and chargesheeted so far, while three of them were convicted earlier.” Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 13 filed a supplementary charge sheet against an accused, identified as Ali Asgar alias Abdullah Bihari, a resident of Bihar, involved in terror activities of the Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), in a special court in Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, reports newsdrum.in. The case pertains to the arrest of 10 active cadres of the proscribed terrorist organisation, including 6 illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, which was registered at the Special Task Force (STF) Police Station in Bhopal in March 2022 and taken over by the NIA in April 2022. An NIA spokesperson stated, “Investigations have established that Asgar had been deeply influenced by the ideology of various proscribed terrorist organisations such as JMB and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent with an intention to further their activities in India. He entered into a criminal conspiracy with his associates to influence, radicalize and motivate Indian Muslims to prepare for violent jihad against the Indian State. In pursuance of the criminal conspiracy, Asgar translated jihadi literature from Urdu and Arabic to Hindi and uploaded it on social media groups for its circulation amongst impressionable Muslims." Read less...

The Delhi Police on January 14, recovered two hand grenades and a man’s dismembered body following the interrogation of two terror suspects, identified as Jagjit Singh alias Jagga, and Naushad who were arrested on January 12, reports Hindustan Times. The two persons led the Police to their rented accommodation in North-West Delhi on January 13, with a team recovering two grenades and “traces of blood” from the house. The recovery of hand grenades, arms, and ammunition, and decomposed parts of a human body in Delhi at the instance of the two suspects prompted Delhi Police to tighten security arrangements ahead of Republic Day celebrations as Police suspect a possible terror strike plan. Read less...

Two terror suspects arrested by Delhi Police on January 12, identified as Jagjit Singh alias Jagga and Naushad for their suspected links to terror organisations, revealed on January 14, that being inspired by Islamic State, they beheaded a 21-year-old man in Delhi on December 14-15, 2022, and made a 37-second video of the killing which they sent to their Pakistan-based handler, Sohail, reports The Indian Express. Police stated that the act and the video were meant to prove their allegiance to Sohail, who used to be associated with the Lashkar-e-Toiba(LeT) and is currently linked to Pakistan’s the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Police further revealed that the arrested men confessed that they took the man to Naushad's house in Bhalswa Dairy in North East Delhi on December 14-15, 2022, strangulated the man before beheading him and then chopped his body into eight pieces. Police recovered six pieces of what they believe is the man’s body and a few clothes from Delhi’s Bhalswa Dairy area. SATP earlier reported the arrests on January 13. Read less...

The Punjab Police on January 15 arrested Inderpreet Singh alias Parry, a close associate of Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar, from Sundar Nagar in Mandi District in Himachal Pradesh, reports Indian Express. The accused was involved in cases of murder and attempt to murder, including the targeted killing of Dera Sacha Sauda (a religious cult) follower Pradeep Singh on November 10, 2022. He had also harboured gangster Lawrence Bishnoi when he fled from police custody. Read less...

Abdul Rehman Makki, the Pakistan-based Deputy Chief and head foreign affairs wing of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), was on January 16, designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), reports Free Press Journal. Makki, who is involved in raising funds, recruiting and radicalising youths to resort to violence and planning attacks in India, is LeT Chief Hafiz Saeed’s cousin (the son of his maternal uncle). Makki had reportedly mentored the Pakistani LeT operative, Sajid Majid alias Sajid Mir alias Wasi, the suspected co-mastermind of the LeT-sponsored November 26, 2008 Mumbai attacks (also known as 26/11 attacks). Read less...

Investigations in the case related to the arrest of the two terrorists, identified as Jagjit Singh alias Jagga and Naushad by Delhi Police on January 12, further revealed that the two terrorists were in direct contact with four terrorists -- Nazeer Bhat, Nasir Khan and Nazeer Khan of Harkat-ul Ansar, and Nadeem of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), reports latestly.com on January 18. Other than these, the duo was also in touch with gangsters-- Sunil Rathi, Neeraj Bawana, Irfan Chhenu, Hashim Baba, Ible Hasan and Imran Pehelwan. The Special Cell of the Delhi Police state that there are total of eight persons who were involved in the cross-border terror operation which targeted right-wing Hindu leaders in India, and they all had used the messaging application Signal to communicate with each other. Police sources also revealed that the two people used to procure weapons, while the other two were assigned to supply weapons to other members, adds The New Indian Express. As per the sources, the arms were from Pakistan through the drop-dead method, which was being received at an unidentified location in Uttarakhand – which is being verified by the police. The two suspects, who were arrested by Delhi Police, had been supplying hand grenades and pistols to the module – which were seized from their rented accommodation in Jahangirpuri. Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 17 arrested a person, named Mohammed Sadique, from Chavara in Kollam District in Kerala, for his suspected linkages with Popular Front of India (PFI), reports The Print. Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) which is probing terror funding cases involving Dawood Ibrahim and his syndicate, further revealed that operatives of the D-company get special treatment at Pakistan's Karachi airport, India TV News reports on January 18. D-Company operatives get hassle-free access at the Karachi airport in Pakistan and enjoy special privileges during check-ins and check-outs and don't even have to go to immigration counters or follow required security protocols. They get hassle-free access to VIP lounges at the airport and other destinations where they are supposed to meet the dreaded gangsters. Read less...

A Special Court gave an additional 15 days’ time to the Maharashtra’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) to file a charge-sheet against five suspected members of the Popular Front of India (PFI) who were arrested in September, 2022 for links with terror activities on January 18, reports Free Press Journal. The accused were booked on the charges of engaging in unlawful activities, promoting enmity among communities and waging a war against the country. Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) declared a bounty of INR 25,00,000 for giving information about Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar in September 2022, Free Press Journal reports on January 19. The NIA had also released the latest photos of Dawood and his four close aides. However, no concrete information has come to fore, so far. A reward of INR 20,00,000 was also announced on Shakeel Shaikh alias Chhota Shakeel and another INR 15,00,000 each on associates Haji Anees alias Anees Ibrahim Shaikh, Javed Patel alias Javed Chikna and Ibrahim Mushtaq Abdul Razzak Memon alias Tiger Memon. An NIA official stated, “All the fugitives are hiding in Pakistan. Besides 1993 blasts, they are wanted in several cases of terrorism, narcotics, arms trafficking, money laundering, murders and extortion. D Company has established a criminal network to smuggle arms, explosives, drugs and fake Indian currency notes (FICN) to carry out terror attacks in close association with Pakistani agencies and terror outfits.” Dawood Ibrahim had been designated as a global terrorist and is also a prime accused in 1993 Mumbai blasts. Read less...

The Special Cell of Delhi Police arrested two more terror suspects, identified as Jagpreet alias Jagga and Gurupreet from Delhi, who were tasked with carrying out terror activities in Delhi and Punjab and plotting to assassinate a politician in Punjab, India Today reports on January 19. According to sources, on August 9, 2022, the Punjab Police arrested terrorist Gurvinder Singh and his two accomplices Sandeep Singh and Gurpreet Singh for the murder of Shaurya Chakra awardee Balwinder Singh alias Sandhu. Following this, the Punjab Police initiated a case under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in search of Gurvinder’s accomplices Jagpreet and Gurupreet. During interrogation, the apprehended terrorists stated that they were tasked to carry out a big terrorist attack in Punjab on August 15, 2022. When the Punjab Police failed this mission, they were given the task of committing terrorist acts in Delhi and Punjab and target a politician in Punjab. Read less...

The Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, along with Director Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, held discussions with the Assam Chief Minister (CM), Himanta Biswa Sarma, at the Assam House in New Delhi on January 18 to discuss the peace agreement that is likely to be signed with the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) this week, reports India Today NE. The Assam CM further added that discussions for the peace process and on various other topics are going on with Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Read less...

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) on January 18 justified before the Supreme Court the eighth successive ban on the Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and told that SIMI cadres are working under the umbrella of frontal organisation or having links with a number of other terrorist groups like the Al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM), Islamic State (IS), Indian Mujahideen (IM), and added any organisation that has the objective of establishing Islamic rule in India cannot be permitted to exist, reports The Shillong Times. The UMHA in its affidavit stated, “Despite the ban on SIMI, its sympathisers have continued to carry on their unlawful activities under the garb of various cover organizations. They have indulged in radicalizing and brainwashing the minds of Muslim youth by jihadi propaganda and through provocative Taqreers. The SIMI activists are associating, meeting, conspiring, acquiring arms & ammunitions, and indulging in activities which are disruptive in character and capable of threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.” Read less...

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated on January 19 that the Government of India (GOI) is aware of the number of temples being vandalised in Australia and condemns these actions, reports The Tribune. In the most recent incident, anti-Hindu graffiti was inscribed by Khalistan supporters on the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs, Melbourne, Australia, on January 16. Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 19, filed chargesheet in a special NIA Court in Bengaluru, against two persons, identified as Akthar Hussain Laskar alias Md Hussain, a resident of Assam, and Abdul Aleem Mondal alias Md Juba alias Md Jubah, a resident of West Bengal for having affiliations with Al-Qaeda in connection with conspiracy hatched to send youths to Kashmir and Khorasan province of Afghanistan to undergo terrorist training, reports Big News Network. The case was initially registered on July 24, 2022, at Thilaknagar Police Station in Bengaluru in Karnataka and re-registered by the NIA on August 30, 2022. The NIA stated, "Investigations revealed that the accused were affiliated with Al-Qaeda, a proscribed terrorist organisation. Based on the directions of online handlers, the accused tried to recruit youth, to wage war against India and further they were planning to leave for the Khorasan Province of Afghanistan for terrorist training. During investigations, a lot of incriminating Jihadi materials were recovered at the instance of the accused." Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 20, filed a chargesheet against 20 operatives of the Popular Front of India (PFI) in a NIA special court in Bengaluru with regard to the murder of Praveen Nettaru, who was a resident of Bellare in Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka and the late District Secretary of BJP Yuva Morcha (BJYM) by suspected operatives of the PFI on July 26, 2022, reports The Indian Express. THE NIA in its chargesheet stated that the targeted killing was part of PFI’s plan to create terror to further its agenda of establishing an Islamic rule in India by 2047. The case was initially investigated by Karnataka Police but later transferred to the NIA. Those chargesheeted were identified as Mahammed Shiyab, Abdul Basheer, Riyaz, Mustafa Paichar alias Mahmmad Mustafa, Masud K A, Kodaje Mohammed Sherif, Abubakkar Siddik, Noufal M, Ismail Shafi, K Mahammad Iqbal, Shaheed M, Mahammad Shafeek, Ummar Farook, Abdul Kabeer, Muhammad Ibrahim Sha, Sainul Abid, Shekh Saddam Hussain, Zakiar A, N Abdul Haris, and Thufail M H. NIA sources stated that among the chargesheeted, Shiyab, Basheer and Riyaz were directly involved in the attack on Nettaru. Among the chargesheeted accused, Mustafa Paichar, Masud K A, Kodaje Mohammed Sherif, Abubakkar Siddik, Ummar Farook M R and Thufail M H are absconding. NIA sources further stated that a cash reward of INR 5,00,000 each had been declared by the NIA on two of the accussed PFI operatives, namely Kodaje Mohammed Sherif and Masud KA, both residents of Kannada District in Karnataka, ABP Live added. The NIA had in November, 2022 announced cash rewards of a total INR 14,00,000 for those sharing information on four suspects namely S Mahammad Musthafa from Bellare, M H Tufail from Madikeri in Kodagu District, M R Ummar Farook from Kallumutlumane and Abubakkar Siddik from Bellare in Karnataka. Read less...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while attending the 57th All-India Conference of Director Generals (DGPs) and Inspector Generals of Police (IGP) on January 21 and 22, suggested making the Police forces more sensitive and training them in emerging technologies, reports Greater Kashmir. He emphasised on the importance of National Data Governance Framework for smoothening of data exchange across agencies. The PM suggested that the police and all other agencies engaged in various aspects of internal security should further leverage technological solutions like biometrics etc., while at the same time, he underlined the need to further strengthen traditional policing mechanisms like foot patrols. He also suggested replicating the model of the DGPs and IGPs conference at the state and district levels for discussing emerging challenges and evolving best practices among their teams. The conference covered various aspects of policing and national security, including counter terrorism, counter insurgency, cyber security and security and strategic issues relating to China and the rest of the neighbourhood. Read less...

Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu posted a video on social media asserting to execute a terrorist attack during India's 73rd Republic Day on January 26, 2023, reports India Today on January 22. “Stay indoors on January 26, or you’ll be thwarted by the SFJ. Delhi will be our target, and we will unfurl the flag of Khalistan,” said Pannu. He also offered 5,00,000 dollars to anyone who unfurls Khalistan’s flag on the Red fort. In the posted video, he claimed to “liberate Punjab from Indian occupation in 2023”. Read less...

Another Hindu temple, namely, Sri Sri Radha Ballabha ISCKON Albert Park temple in Melbourne city in Australia was vandalised by “Hindustan Murdabad” (Death to Hindu place), Khalistan Zindabad and Sant Bhindrawale is martyred" graffitis by pro-Khalistan supporters, reports Australia Today on January 23. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was a militant leader. This is the third attack on Hindu temples in Melbourne in January 2023. Read less...

Kerala Government on January 23 informed the Kerala High Court that it has attached the properties of 248 operatives of Popular Front of India (PFI) as part of recovery proceedings in connection with the damage to public property, in violence, called by the outfit in September, 2022, reports PTI. The recovery proceedings against those involved in the violence were initiated after the High Court expressed displeasure over the government's delay in executing its order in connection with it. The state Home Department informed that the most number of revenue recoveries were from Malappuram District -- 126 properties. Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 25, arrested Deepak Ranga, the main shooter in the rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack on Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali District of Punjab on May 9, 2022 from Gorakhpur District of Uttar Pradesh, reports India Today. Deepak Ranga, a resident of Surakpur village in Jhajjar District of Haryana is a close associate of Canada-based gangster-turned-terrorist Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa and Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terrorist Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda. An NIA spokesperson stated that apart from his involvement in the RPG attack, Deepak has been involved in a number of other violent terrorist and criminal offences, including violent killings. He has been actively receiving terror funds and logistical support from Rinda and Landa. Read less...

Mohammad Sadiq, who was arrested by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) on January 17, for working for the Popular Front of India (PFI) revealed that he was a fruit vendor, who was assigned the role of a ‘reporter’ by the PFI, reports The Indian Express on January 27. He had been asked by the outfit to collect information on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) events in Kollam District in Kerala, including details of guests who were invited to these events for possible targeting by hit squads. The NIA found pamphlets of several RSS events and guest lists from his possession and also digital devices and several incriminating documents were seized from his house during the arrest operation. SATP had earlier reported this arrest on January 18. Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), in its probe into the murder of Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Youth Leader Praveen Nettaru in 2022, reveals that Popular Front of India (PFI) had marked 21 mosques where they could hide weapons whenever required, reports India Today on January 27. It is revealed that PFI, as part of its agenda to create terror, communal hatred and unrest in society and to further its agenda of establishing Islamic Rule by 2047, formed secret teams called ‘Service Teams’ to carry out killings of its targets. The charge sheet also mentioned that it was Mustafa Paichar alias Mahmmad Musthaf who had ordered the last-minute killing of Praveen Nettaru as 'PFI vowed to avenge’ the killing of Muslim youth Kalanja Masood in July 2022 in Karnataka. Read less...

The political wing of the Popular Front of India (PFI), Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) is trying hard to re-group its cadres and strengthen the party in Kerala after the ban on the PFI and its top leaders had been jailed, The Hindustan Times reports on January 28. The SDPI, founded in 2008, which had been keeping a low-profile for three months after the nation-wide crackdown on its parent outfit, started protests throughout Kerala with meetings organised outside the state secretariat and in Kochi in Ernakulam District on Jan 26. SDPI National President M K Faizy stated, “We will bounce back. No one will remain destitute due to the ongoing clamp down and attachment of properties. As a political party we will protect our families and cadres. The party will expose the fascist measures taken by the RSS-controlled government.” Read less...

A massive stash of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) worth INR 48 million was seized by Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) from Surat District of Gujarat on January 29, reports Times Now News. Six people have been arrested in connection with the case. Sources stated that these currency notes are being put to use for black business of hawala. FICN of INR 500 and INR 2000 have been confiscated from the possession of the accused. Read less...

On January 29, the Delhi Police arrested two persons, identified as, Vikram Singh and Balram Singh, in connection with alleged "anti-national" and "Khalistan-related graffiti’ that appeared on walls in areas of West Delhi District in Delhi on January 19, ahead of Republic Day (January 26), reports PTI. The walls were painted with slogans like “Khalistan Zindabad”, “SFJ”, “1984”, “Punjab Banega Khalistan”, “Vote for Khalistan” and “Referendum 2020” at various locations in West Delhi. The officials stated that the accused were tasked to paint the “pro-Khalistani” slogans in lieu of INR 2,00,000 and further lucrative offers in future. Read less...

On January 29, two individuals (names withheld) were arrested, during a referendum for the creation of an independent Sikh state convened by the banned Pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), at Federation Square in Melbourne city of Australia, reports Tribune India. Those attending the rally were asked to answer yes or no to the referendum question, "Should Indian-governed Punjab be an independent country?" The clash ensued when Indian supporters arrived with the tricolor flag to counter the Khalistan-supporting outfit, and at least two people were injured. "These incidents are clear attempts to spread hatred and division within the peaceful multi-faith and multi-cultural Indian-Australian community," the Indian Mission in Australia stated. Read less...

Police arrested a 30-year-old woman, identified as Sonu Mansuri, with suspected links to the Popular Front of India (PFI) for taping the proceedings of a court during a hearing of a case involving Bajrang Dal leader Tanu Sharma in Madhya Pradesh's Indore District on January 29, reports msn.com. Additional Commissioner of Police Rajesh Raghuvanshi, informed police that a lawyer requested her to make the tape which was to be delivered to the PFI and for the same she was paid INR 300,000 for the operation. The accused revealed to the Police that senior counsel Noorjahan Khan assigned her the responsibility of creating the film to be forwarded to the PFI. Read less...

A special NIA court in Lucknow on January 30, awarded death sentence to Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi, who was arrested in connection with an attack on security personnel stationed at Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur District of Uttar Pradesh in April 2022, reports India Today. The accused had attacked Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel stationed at the Gorakhnath temple. The interrogation of Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi revealed the accused’s connection to the terrorist organisation Islamic State (IS). According to UP Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Murtaza Abbasi had taken the oath of fighting for IS and was providing financial assistance to supporters of the militant organisation. Read less...

The Hyderabad team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) questioned at least six journalists on suspected ties with terror organisations, The Print reports on January 31. As per the NIA sources, a group of journalists was maintaining a close association with the terror outfits. The journalists who were questioned, were suspected to be the mastermind behind recruiting youngsters from Northern Kerala for terror outfits. NIA also retrieved digital evidence from the journalists. Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 31, filed a charge sheet against Mohammad Mohsin Ahmad, who is a resident of Bihar and also a second-year electrical engineering student of Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi for propagation of the ideology of Islamic State (IS) and to raise funds for the organisation and send the amount to his Syria based handlers through cryptocurrency channels for recruitment of youth for terror activities in India, reports The Hindustan Times. Ahmad was arrested by an NIA team from Delhi’s Batla House earlier on August 8, 2022 after receiving information that he was actively engaged in raising funds for IS. The NIA charged Ahmad with criminal conspiracy and under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), in a charge sheet filed at Delhi’s Patiala House Court. Read less...