Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 17: In a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday night arrested two key absconders linked to a sleeper cell of the banned terrorist outfit ISIS. The arrests took place at Terminal 2 of Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

The accused, Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh alias Diaperwala and Talha Khan, were intercepted by the Bureau of Immigration while returning from Jakarta, Indonesia, where they had been in hiding for over two years.

According to the NIA, the duo was wanted in a 2023 case related to the fabrication and testing of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Pune’s Kondhwa area. They had organized a bomb-making workshop and even carried out a controlled explosion as part of their activities.

“These individuals were declared absconders and non-bailable warrants had been issued by the NIA Special Court in Mumbai. A cash reward of ?3 lakh each had been announced for information leading to their arrest,” said an official.

The two had already been chargesheeted along with eight other ISIS operatives, who are currently in judicial custody. The group allegedly conspired to wage violent jihad with the goal of establishing Islamic rule in India, disturbing communal harmony and internal peace.

The other accused in the case include Mohammed Imran Khan, Mohammed Yunus Saki, Abdul Kadir Pathan, Simab Nasiruddin Kazi, Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, Shamil Nachan, Akif Nachan, and Shahnawaz Alam.

All ten accused have been booked under multiple stringent sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act, and the Indian Penal Code.

Officials said the arrests reaffirm India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, stressing the NIA's resolve to dismantle ISIS’s influence and operations in the country. The arrested men will be produced before the NIA Special Court for further proceedings.