Padgha, a village just 50 kilometres from the busy city of Mumbai, took a dark turn and became known as India’s ISIS hub. This transformation was led by terrorist Saqib Nachan. Under his influence, Padgha was renamed Al Sham and started functioning almost like an independent nation.
Saqib Nachan, a well-known terrorist, used Padgha as a base to spread extremist ideas. The village, which was once peaceful and quiet, changed dramatically. New faces appeared, and suspicious activities became more common. The village’s transformation was alarming, turning it into a center for radicalization and terror planning.
Padgha, a village just 50 km away from bustling Mumbai, became India’s #ISIS hub.
Nurtured by terrorist Saqib Nachan and renamed Al Sham, Padgha became like a tiny, independent nation.
Till NIA stormed it in 2023 and found 44 drones ready to attack Mumbai, Israeli flags, and a… pic.twitter.com/gR1RUa4GNH— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) May 19, 2024
In 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted a major raid in Padgha. The NIA discovered 44 drones that were ready to attack Mumbai. This large number of drones showed that the terrorists had advanced plans and possibly external support. But the drones were not the only alarming find. The NIA also uncovered a large stash of weapons and extremist literature. Among the surprising items found were Israeli flags. The presence of these flags hinted at broader and more complex motives behind the activities in Padgha, possibly aiming to provoke more tension and violence.
The discovery of such a well-equipped terror hub so close to Mumbai raised serious concerns about national security. The peaceful village had turned into a serious threat, capable of launching significant attacks. This raised important questions about local security and community awareness.
Padgha’s story, from a quiet village to an ISIS hub known as Al Sham, is a clear sign of the dangers posed by modern terrorism. It underscores the necessity for strong intelligence, quick action, and a united effort to keep the country safe.
The Mastermind Behind Al-Sham: Saquib Nachan
Terrorist Saquib Nachan is the brain behind Al-Sham village. He began settling recruits in Al-Sham to create a separate state. Nachan played a key role in radicalizing youth and organized diverse training programs for them, according to intelligence sources. He was crucial in managing foreign operations, funding, and psychological operations against Bharat.
Nachan led what is considered the most dangerous ISIS module, aiming to establish a separate state. His plans involved orchestrating bombings across Bharat, surpassing the severity of the 26/11 attacks. Additionally, Saquib Nachan administered the Bayʿah (oath of allegiance) to recruits, enhancing their commitment to the jihadist cause.
Under the guidance of their foreign handlers, the accused actively participated in terrorist activities, manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for planned attacks. They encouraged susceptible Muslim youths to relocate to Al-Sham (Padgha) to strengthen their presence.
Saquib Nachan’s Dark Past
Saquib Nachan was initially associated with the now-banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and was its general secretary of the Maharashtra unit and other outfits. He had been on the radar of central and state agencies since the 90s.
Saquib Nachan had been convicted and sentenced to 10 years in jail in connection with three bomb blasts between 2002-03. The blasts took place at a McDonald’s joint at the Mumbai Central railway station on December 6, 2002, which injured 22. The second one occurred at the market outside the Vile Parle suburban station on January 27, 2003, injuring 3, and the third inside a compartment of a local train that exploded at the Mulund railway station on March 13, 2003, killing 13 and injuring over 80.
In a combined chargesheet filed in the Mulund, Vile Parle, and Mumbai Central blast cases, police charged the accused with offences under POTA, Explosive Substances Act, offences of ‘preparation to wage war against the nation’ and criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code against Nachan, who was the prime accused in the case. He was also arrested in August 2012 in connection with an attempted murder of VHP activist Manoj Raicha.
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Who is Saqib Nachan?
-Saquib administered ‘Bayath’ to recruits, signifying an oath of allegiance to the ISIS Caliphate.
-B.Com graduate Saquib operated the terror network under the guidance of foreign handlers.
-Pursued the path of Jihad, Khilafat, and ISIS to spread terror and commit acts of violence across India, targeting the Indian Government.
-Carried out three bomb blasts from December 6, 2002, to March 13, 2003.
-Arrested by Mumbai Police on April 10, 2003, and served 8 years in jail. Released on bail with a Rs 1 lakh bond.
-Rearrested on August 4, 2012, in the attempted murder case of Vishwa Hindu Parishad activist Manoj Raicha. Released in August 2014.
-Convicted in the blast case in March 2016. Spent less than 2 years as a convict.
-Freed in November 2017, 5 months earlier than his scheduled release, attributed to his “discipline” in jail.
-Ranked 3rd in the country for masterminding the maximum number of bombings.
-Allegedly fought alongside ‘Mujahideens’ during the Afghan Jihad against the Soviets.
-Accused of sending Indian Muslims to Pakistan for terror training.
-Served as the general secretary of the banned terror outfit SIMI.
-Affiliation with Islamist outfit Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) in his formative years.
-Visited Pakistan twice in 1990 to meet Salahuddin Sudani and Abdur-Rahim-Rasool Sayyef, discussing ways to train Muslim youths in arms, ammunition, and explosives.
-Part of Operation K2, an ISI plot to fuel the Khalistani separatist movement in India.
-Sent Sikh youths to Pakistan for military training until 1991.
-Accused in the murder of 2 Hindu lawyers and a Muslim, allegedly working against the ‘Muslim community.’
-Convicted in 1992 by a Gujarat court and later by the Supreme Court for terrorism.
The NIA, in recent months, has undertaken extensive efforts to disrupt and dismantle ISIS activities in India, conducting large-scale raids and arresting several individuals involved in terrorist conspiracies.
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