Aligarh ISIS Module Case: Investigation unveils strong connections between accused and family with AMU

From November 7 to November 11, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad apprehended seven individuals suspected of having links to ISIS. The alleged mastermind, Wajihuddin Ali Khan, a PhD student at Aligarh Muslim University, was arrested in the Durg district of Chhattisgarh. Subsequent arrests included Abdullah Arshlan, Maaz bin Tariq, Naved, Rakib Imam, Noman, and Mohammad Nazim, many of whom were identified as AMU students. Investigations have unveiled familial connections between the accused and Aligarh University. Some are current students, while others have graduated and are now employed. Notably, Wajihuddin Ali Khan’s mother-in-law, employed as a nurse, works at Aligarh Muslim University. The ATS emphasised the significance of Wajihuddin’s arrest, linking him not only to the ‘Aligarh ISIS module’ but also to the Pune ISIS network.

Originally hailing from Durg in Chhattisgarh, Wajihuddin moved to Aligarh approximately 10 years ago to pursue his Ph.D. at AMU. In Aligarh, he taught social science subjects such as history, geography, and civics to junior students, including Hindus. Referred to as ‘Ameer’ by those who shared his ideology, the term holds significance as a title akin to a king among Muslims.

Reports indicate that in 2010, Harish Farooqui, a radical Islamist monitored by the NIA and the Special Cell of Delhi Police, sought to establish a terror network in Aligarh. At that time, Farooqui, a former AMU student, was known as ‘Ameer’ within his group. Farooqui played a pivotal role in founding the SAMU Group but has been evading authorities since the arrest of Shahnawaz, connected to the Pune ISIS network, by the Delhi Police.

Who is the mastermind?

Wajihuddin later came into contact with the radical elements of AMU. Renowned for his eloquence, he quickly gained prominence within the SAMU (Students of AMU) group.

Gradually, Wajihuddin transitioned into delivering provocative speeches aimed not only at radicalising and inciting youth against their religion but also against the nation. His speeches included objectionable remarks against the Hindu religion.

Wajihuddin Ali Khan, affiliated with the Al Haya Min Allah campaign and group, served as an Islamic preacher emphasizing the concept of ‘Haya.’ Our investigation revealed his practice of moving from place to place within AMU with a portable microphone, advocating for adherence to Islamic principles. Notably, one of Wajihuddin’s speeches, shared by students of AMU on its page during anti-CAA protests, gained attention. This speech was delivered amid the Jinnah’s poster controversy preceding the anti-CAA protests, with SAMU deeming it relevant to the subsequent demonstrations. Wajihuddin played an active role during the anti-CAA protests.

Interestingly, Wajihuddin Ali Khan expressed support for PFI and Sharjeel Imam on his Facebook profile. Currently, Wajihuddin’s Facebook profile appears to be either locked or suspended.

Wajihuddin entered matrimony in Aligarh, and his mother-in-law, a nurse at Aligarh Medical College, was reportedly influenced significantly by his religious ideologies. Wajihuddin has two brothers-in-law, one in class 12 and the other frequently unwell. Before his arrest, Wajihuddin lived at his mother-in-law’s residence for approximately three months.

It’s noteworthy that prior to Wajihuddin’s arrest, the ATS had searched his mother-in-law’s house. During that time, his wife was in Durg.

In connection with the ‘Aligarh ISIS module’ case, Wajihuddin, along with Abdullah Arshlan (another apprehended ISIS terrorist), operated SAMU’s YouTube channel. Wajihuddin personally uploaded all his speeches on this channel.

After getting wind of his associates’ arrests, Wajihuddin devised an alternate escape route. Instead of directly taking a train from Aligarh, he initially traveled to Mathura and then proceeded to Durg. However, ATS eventually apprehended him in Durg, Chhattisgarh.

Other arrested accused in this case

Rakib Imam, holding an M.Tech degree in mechanical engineering from Aligarh Muslim University, completed his studies in 2020 and commenced teaching at the university. Additionally, he has reportedly provided instruction at the Islamic Mission School in Aligarh. Notably, this school gained attention in 2018 when it issued a show cause notice for portraying Zakir Naik, an Indian fugitive and radical Islamist preacher, as “an important Islamic personality” in a Class 5 textbook.

The Islamic Mission School in Aligarh faced another controversy last year, allegedly expelling a three-year-old girl for not wearing a hijab. The girl’s father, in his complaint, mentioned the absence of Hindi teaching and the national anthem in the school. According to the complaint, the girl struggled to recognise Hindi words, and upon inquiry, it was revealed that only Urdu was taught in the school.

On his LinkedIn profile, Rakib describes himself as a JEE/NEET faculty at the Avanti Learning Centre. Originally from Uttar Pradesh’s Bhadohi district.

Noman Siddiqui, arrested alongside Rakib Imam on November 11, hails from the Sambhal district and is involved in an ancestral fish farming business in Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand.

Significantly, Abu Bakr Fazili, linked to SAMU, proclaimed his allegiance to the rule of Allah over any human authority in a speech delivered at AMU’s Kennedy Auditorium in 2015. The speech included a call to crush those opposing Islamic rule, along with objectionable comments about the Hindu religion in other videos. Wajihuddin, associated with these videos, was also observed on the stages.

The ATS is actively pursuing several individuals connected to the ‘Aligarh ISIS module’ who remain at large. Faizan Bakhtiar, Abdul Samad Malik, Rizwan, and Harish Farooqui are among the notable names. Harish Farooqui’s family resides in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, while Faizan Bakhtiar is from the Prayagraj area, and Abdul Samad Malik is originally from Sambhal. The ATS is working to apprehend these suspects based on information provided by the arrested individuals during interrogation.

Abdul Samad Malik, implicated in the ‘Aligarh ISIS’ module, is currently a top priority for the Uttar Pradesh ATS. He is a named accused in the FIR filed by the ATS in charge in Aligarh and is known for his proficiency in the Arabic language.

Reportedly the most extremist thinker in the group, Abdul is accused of radicalising and inciting youth, even encouraging them to become suicide bombers. He completed his graduation at Aligarh Muslim University from 2019 to 2022 and has been pursuing a Master’s in Social Working (MSW) since 2022. Malik has been evading authorities since the arrest of Abdullah Arshlan, and efforts are underway to apprehend him.

Another AMU student, Faizan Bakhtiar, is also allegedly associated with the Aligarh ISIS module. Originally from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Faizan is said to be adept at using social media for radicalisation and is accused of engaging in the illegal buying and selling of weapons from other districts. He is also pursuing an MSW course at Aligarh Muslim University.

Both Faizan Bakhtiar and Abdul Samad Malik have kept their phones switched off since the UP ATS dismantled the ‘Aligarh ISIS’ module. Both were affiliated with Students of Aligarh Muslim University (SAMU) and were observed participating in its events.

Abdul Samad Malik faces accusations of delivering provocative speeches. All individuals associated with this network are accused of conspiring to establish an ISIS presence within the country. Their speeches reportedly included objectionable content against the Hindu religion, and they declared their commitment to implementing Sharia law in India. The arrest of several individuals linked to this network before Diwali was considered a significant accomplishment for UP ATS.