ATS, cops swoop down on ex-SIMI man Saquib Nachan’s village in pre-dawn crackdown on alleged radical revival. The raid involved hundreds of heavily armed personnel sweeping across the area to prevent potential terror conspiracies and maintain law and order
The raid involved hundreds of heavily armed personnel sweeping across the area to prevent potential terror conspiracies and maintain law and order. Pic/By special arrangement
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Thane Rural Police carried out a massive joint search operation on Monday in Padgha village, Bhiwandi, during the pre-dawn hours. The raid involved hundreds of heavily armed personnel sweeping across the area to prevent potential terror conspiracies and maintain law and order.
According to an officer from the Maharashtra ATS, the operation was launched to counter possible threats against the country and curb anti-national activities. The focus of the operation was the residence of Saquib Nachan, a former office-bearer of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), and a habitual offender in multiple terror-related cases.
Nachan, who was an accused in the 2002-03 Mumbai Central, Vile Parle, and Mulund bomb blast cases, is also considered the self-proclaimed Amir-e-Hind of ISIS in India. Since his release from prison in 2017, intelligence agencies suspect that Nachan has resumed involvement in radical activities.
A local resident told mid-day, “A large force of heavily armed policemen arrived around 3 am and spread out across Padgha in Bhiwandi Taluka. Around two dozen homes were searched by joint teams of ATS and Thane Rural Police.”
Maharashtra ATS and Thane Rural Police carried out a massive joint search operation in Bhiwandi
Confirming the operation, an ATS officer said, “A terrorist attack took place in Jammu and Kashmir in April, in which tourists were killed. In light of this incident, the country's internal security and communal harmony were at risk. Accordingly, the Home Department issued orders to take stringent action against terrorist elements and anti-national forces across the state. All police units have been directed to remain alert and closely monitor suspects to maintain law and order.”
Ex-SIMI man Saquib Nachan
“Several individuals involved in anti-national activities and conspiracies have been arrested in connection with various terror modules,” the officer added. “In this joint operation, a hardcore former SIMI operative, Saquib Abdul Hamid Nachan — resident of Borivli, post office Padgha, taluka Bhiwandi, district Thane — and his associates were found to be inciting people in the area through provocative speeches. As a result, it was observed that his hardcore supporters had become active again. We received reliable intelligence suggesting they were conspiring to undertake anti-national actions,” the officer said.
“Based on this information, a police inspector from the ATS, Thane, obtained a search warrant from the court to raid the homes of the suspects in Padgha, district Thane,” he added. “During the operation, several suspicious locations were searched. Mobile phones, swords, sabres, documents related to property, and objectionable materials promoting terrorism and radicalisation were seized,” the officer said.
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