Saturday, March 29, 2025
In a major counter-terror operation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two ISIS operatives at Mumbai International Airport. The accused, Abdullah Fayaz Shaikh and Talha Khan, had been hiding in Jakarta, Indonesia. Immigration officials flagged them upon arrival and handed them over to NIA officers.
The arrests are linked to a 2023 case involving IED manufacturing and training activities in Pune, Maharashtra.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two absconders, identified as members of a sleeper module of the banned ISIS terror organisation, in a 2023 case related to fabrication and testing of IEDs in Pune, Maharashtra. The two men, identified as Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh… pic.twitter.com/LFjHaRhwn5
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2025
The duo played a key role in setting up a secret IED workshop in Pune’s Kondhwa area. Investigators revealed that they used Shaikh’s shop for manufacturing and testing explosive devices. They also trained new recruits there.
The NIA had declared both men as fugitives and offered ₹3 lakh each as a reward for information.
Shaikh and Khan fled India in 2022 and initially took shelter in Oman. Later, they moved to Indonesia to avoid capture. The NIA worked closely with the Ministry of External Affairs and Omani authorities to coordinate their return. The process took several months but ended successfully with their arrest.
The NIA has filed a charge sheet against 11 individuals. These include:
Mohammad Imran Khan
Mohammad Yunus Saaki
Abdul Qadir Pathan
Simb Naseeruddin Qazi
Zulfikar Ali Barodawala
Shameel Nachan
Aqif Nachan
Shahnawaz Alam
Abdullah Fayaz Shaikh
Talha Khan
Three suspects are still on the run. All have been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The module had plotted terror attacks across Maharashtra and surrounding regions. They also conducted recce operations of key locations. To raise funds, the group committed armed robberies and thefts. Their goal was to promote the ISIS agenda and wage war against the Indian government.
The NIA will present the arrested accused before a special court soon. Officials believe this arrest is a critical step in weakening global terror networks operating in India. Investigations will continue to expose deeper links and accomplices.
