New Delhi: The Special Cell of Delhi Police arrested five alleged terrorists involved in a Pakistan-handled pan-India 'Khilafat' terror module plotting jihad in India.
The suspects were guided by a Pakistan-based handler who radicalized them through social media and directed them to wage war against the country.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Special Cell Pramod Kushwaha said the joint multi-state operation led to the capture of the individuals, who planned to acquire land, declare it a 'Khilafat zone,' and initiate violent activities under the guise of jihad.
The arrested accused have been identified as Ashrar Qureshi (Ranchi), Aftab Qureshi (Mumbai), Sufiyan Abubakar (Jharkhand), Mohammad Huzaifa (Telangana), Kamran Qureshi (Madhya Pradesh).
Significant recoveries included sulfur powder, ball bearings (used for making IEDs), safety masks, weapons, and cartridges. The module was headed by Ashrar Danish (23), an English (Hons) graduate from Ranchi, who coordinated the team and assigned tasks on behalf of the Pakistan-based handler.
The handler, known by the code "CEO" and operating under the identity "Gajwa-e-Hind," provided weapon designs and ideological guidance.
The operation began with the arrest of two individuals near Delhi’s Nizamuddin Railway Station. Subsequent raids in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh, and Telangana led to three more arrests. The team was led by DCP Amit Kaushik and Inspectors Vinay Pal and Manoj.
According to officials, the group was in the process of collecting funds to purchase land and establish a so-called Khilafat, as part of a larger strategy to promote Ghazwa-e-Hind. This module is new and has no links to previous terror networks.
The Pakistan-based handler used social media to identify and recruit like-minded individuals, providing them with sketches and instructions for fabricating weapons and IEDs.
The Khilafat model had previously been attempted in Maharashtra, authorities noted. Further investigations are ongoing.
