On October 2, 2023, the National Investigating Agency (NIA) apprehended three individuals with affiliations to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. They were conspiring to conduct attacks within Bharat. All three apprehended individuals were engineers, working on a plan to execute an attack within the country. Among them was a wanted terrorist, identified by the NIA. He was a specialist in explosives, holding a degree from the prestigious National Institute of Technology (NIT), identified as Shahnawaz Alam. (How these engineers were radicalised and became terrorists can be found in this report by Organiser)
They were arrested on October 2, by a special team of the NIA. The team has been interrogating them and some shocking revelations have been made by the prime accused in this case, like they were planning for a 26/11-like attack and their targets were Hindu temples, offices of Hindu organisations like RSS and more across Bharat, starting from Gujarat’s Ahemadabad.
The detained ISIS operative, Shehnawaz, apprehended by the Delhi Police, has disclosed to investigators that he conducted trial explosions at five locations across India – Nuh, Mewat, Delhi, Lucknow, and Rudraprayag – with the intent of orchestrating a “26/11-like terror attack.” However, his plans were thwarted as he was captured before his team could execute their malevolent scheme.
According to an exclusive report by CNN-News18, the top officials said, Shehnawaz admitted to scouting 15 premises affiliated with Hindu organisations, including the RSS, in Ahmedabad, Surat, and Baroda. He confessed to investigators that his aim was to target Right-wing institutions and leaders.
Hailing from Delhi, Shehnawaz pursued engineering at NIT Nagpur. He frequently visited the Capital, and his father is a teacher in Hazaribagh. Shehnawaz regularly participated in Dars and gradually became radicalised. It was during this period that he crossed paths with Rizwan, the other accused arrested by the NIA.
In 2019-20, he began acquiring expertise in constructing IEDs and established contact with a foreign handler. This handler aided both Rizwan and Shehnawaz in learning the art of IED-making through online tutorials.
Sources indicate that the pair, in addition to conducting test detonations with explosives, initiated efforts to identify potential hideouts and targets. Subsequently, their handler instructed Shehnawaz to relocate to Pune, where two individuals apprehended in Chittorgarh were stationed.
Although both groups resided in different places in Chittorgarh, they maintained regular contact. They actively engaged in learning the craft of IED and explosive production. However, when the Pune group was apprehended, the duo absconded to Delhi.
According to sources, Shehnawaz served as the crucial link connecting the Delhi and Pune modules of the ISIS.
“Shehnawaz is a seasoned terrorist. In recent months, he conducted reconnaissance missions across northern India. His responsibility was to identify suitable locations for establishing training camps within India. The recruitment process was meant to be carried out by his handlers,” sources disclosed.
It has also been reported that he conducted numerous surveys of locations slated for attack during the upcoming festive season. He possessed expertise in crafting improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Incriminating documents, as well as the chemicals (in liquid form) utilised in IED production, were discovered in his residence.
Fueled by outrage over perceived “atrocities against Muslims,” the group held the belief that “Kafirs must not be spared.” They maintained connections with the Indian Mujahideen and harboured intentions to carry out public attacks targeting Hindu leaders and Jewish individuals.
While it’s plausible that Pakistan-based handlers may have influenced the group, this lead is still under investigation.
The inquiry into the Pune ISIS case has uncovered that it represents a convergence of SIMI-Indian Mujahideen and ISIS, where past terror organizations – Indian Mujahideen and SIMI – have aligned with ISIS operatives.
According to security agencies, there are now evident direct connections spanning from Hazaribagh, UP, to Maharashtra, and Shehnawaz emerges as the linchpin in this overarching terrorist scheme.
Sources emphasised that if the lid hadn’t been lifted on this terror plot, the amalgamated factions could have wrought significant harm. This is due to their collective background as hardcore terrorists adept in IT, cyber warfare, and the production of explosives and IEDs.
Second, ideological differences between all terror outfits have merged and they have decided to start work again.
Third, the important part of the entire investigation is the role of the foreign handler sitting in Iraq or Syria. Fourth is the funding which is coming at different times and is ISIS-style.
Sources said it is clear that all terror groups are regrouping themselves under one umbrella.
According to sources, the ISIS Pune module had ambitions for an attack surpassing the scale of 26/11, as disclosed during their interrogation. They aimed to target areas that would not only result in higher casualties but also create a significant visual impact.
Among the locations they scouted in Mumbai were Chabad House and the Naval Helipad in proximity to the Colaba slum area. Their intent was to strike major temples in Mumbai, known for their high visitor traffic, as well as crucial hydraulic projects vital for the nation’s development and progress.
