Intel links Saquib Nachan’s kin to secret youth recruitment in attempt to mimic shadow governance scheme; the agency also suspects the creation of a separate social media platform to communicate with foreign terrorist organisations
The Maharashtra ATS and Thane Rural Police carried out a massive joint search operation on Monday in Padgha village, Bhiwandi. Pics/By special arrangement
The pre-dawn search operation conducted by the Maharashtra ATS and local police in the Padgha area of Bhiwandi on Monday was based on confidential intelligence suggesting ongoing anti-national activities.
According to a senior Maharashtra ATS officer, the family members and close associates of convicted terrorist Saquib Nachan had been actively supporting a sleeper cell in Borivli village, Padgha, where several youths were being identified for recruitment into subversive anti-national activities. “We have received credible information from our sources that Nachan’s family and associates are desperately trying to expand their network by recruiting local youth in Bhiwandi,” said the officer.
“The intelligence also indicated their involvement in multiple anti-national activities. These efforts began after security agencies restricted Saquib Nachan’s activities. However, his family and associates did not back down. Instead, they regrouped to identify a new leader in Nachan’s absence,” the officer added, referring to Nachan’s background as a former SIMI member.
“In an effort to identify the second tier of recruits, we carried out multiple raids at various houses in Borivli village, Padgha, on Monday,” the officer said. Following the search operations, the Maharashtra ATS registered two First Information Reports (FIRs) against the suspects under relevant sections of the Arms Act. The agency also confiscated several mobile phones, laptops, and other digital devices as part of the seizure.
“A total of 19 mobile phones suspected to contain crucial evidence, including conversations, digital propaganda, and networking data, have been seized and sent for forensic analysis to trace the sleeper cell’s digital footprint and network. Though the suspects are being questioned, no formal arrests have been made so far,” the officer added.
The regrouping of local Muslim youth was allegedly taking place under a framework known as ‘Shariyat-e-Al-Sham,’ with the aim of establishing a parallel governance system in the Borivli region — one operating independently of the Indian Constitution.
“We received credible intelligence that, in an attempt to run this shadow administration, they had recruited around 15 youth, assigning them ministerial-style roles to turn their village into an independent state,” the officer said. Sources added that members of the sleeper cell had delivered ‘provocative speeches’ intended to incite communal and anti-national sentiments.
The agency also suspects the creation of a separate social media platform to communicate with foreign terrorist organisations, possibly including the Islamic State (ISIS). This digital network is believed to have aided in spreading extremist ideology and coordinating related activities.
Further intelligence revealed that some youths from Borivli village in Padgha had recently travelled to Turkey. Agencies are now probing their travel history and suspected links with ISIS operatives. Inputs suggest these individuals may have interacted with senior members of global extremist groups during their visit.
In light of the serious nature of these allegations, security agencies have heightened alert levels in the region and launched comprehensive background checks on all individuals involved.
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