Maharashtra ATS Arrests Pune Software Engineer for Al Qaeda Links and Youth Radicalization Activities

A Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) official stated that the apprehended individual was allegedly engaged in activities against national security.

Mumbai:

On Monday, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) apprehended a software engineer in Pune for his purported connections to prohibited organizations, including Pakistan's Al Qaeda, and his role in youth radicalization, according to an official statement.

Zubair Hangargekar, who had been under surveillance by the Pune ATS since the previous month, was presented before a court immediately following his arrest. The Special UAPA Court remanded him to police custody until November 4.

A law enforcement official revealed that the suspect, arrested in the Kondhwa district of Pune city, was charged under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

In court, police alleged that Hangargekar was involved in anti-national activities and was planning terrorist attacks in Maharashtra and other urban centers.

Authorities reported that during searches of the software engineer's premises, they discovered incriminating materials apparently intended for radicalizing young people.

In a related operation, Pune Police had previously detained four suspects from the Chennai Express at Pune Railway Station on October 27.

On October 9, the ATS conducted raids at multiple locations in Pune, recovering electronic devices, documents, and materials suggesting the existence of a broader terror network in the area, according to a police official.

The Pune ATS operation on Monday follows closely after the arrests of Md Adnan Khan, alias Abu Muharib (19), from Delhi's Sadiq Nagar, and Adnan Khan, alias Abu Mohammad (20), from Bhopal in connection with an Islamic State-related case.

These two arrests indicate that the online radicalization wing of IS is highly active. The Islamic State, which maintains a stronger online presence compared to its physical capabilities, has employed various strategies to radicalize individuals.

Investigations into the Delhi case have thus far revealed that the two individuals were radicalized online and were reporting to a handler in Syria.

The fact that the pair was being directed from Syria clearly suggests the group's resurgence in the country.

Although ISIS was defeated in Syria, it has made a significant comeback.

The fact that it has already executed 115 attacks this year, compared to 72 last year, indicates that the group has grown stronger.

Intelligence Bureau officials report that operations in India are being conducted from Syria.