The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested two Islamists from different states for conspiring to provoke communal tensions and promote anti-India activities via social media platforms.
The arrested individuals, identified as Ajmal Ali from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, and Dr Usama Maj Sheikh from Thane, Maharashtra, were said to be active participants in an extremist WhatsApp group named “Reviving Islam”, which had over 400 members, primarily from Pakistan and was reportedly used to discuss radical ideas such as Ghazwa-e-Hind and the imposition of Sharia law in India.
According to an official ATS statement issued on August 5, the arrests were the result of sustained digital surveillance, which uncovered the group and its content. The group had three Pakistani administrators and was actively promoting extremist ideology aimed at destabilising India’s democratic institutions.
Ajmal Ali, a resident of Dehra village in Amroha district, was found using a mobile number linked to the group. He was allegedly involved in spreading anti-national and radical messages targeting non-Muslim communities through platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Signal. ATS officials stated that Ajmal had established contact with multiple Pakistani nationals and was deeply influenced by extremist narratives.
During interrogation at ATS headquarters in Lucknow, Ajmal reportedly admitted his involvement and revealed that he was being mentored by Dr Usama Maj Sheikh, a resident of Badlapur in Thane, Maharashtra. Usama, who holds a BHMS degree and was employed as a Resident Medical Officer at a private hospital, was using Instagram and the Signal app to communicate with Ajmal and others, encouraging the establishment of a Sharia-based system in India through radical means.
The ATS stated that the duo had engaged in conversations aimed at “toppling India’s elected government” and were part of an ideological effort to radicalise Muslim youth into supporting violent jihad. They are accused of attempting to instigate hatred against non-Muslims and incite participation in unlawful, anti-national activities.
A case was registered against Ajmal Ali on August 1 at the ATS police station in Lucknow under Sections 148 and 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He was taken into judicial custody the same day.
Subsequently, based on intelligence gathered from Ajmal’s confession and digital footprint, ATS operatives assisted by the Maharashtra ATS and Thane Police arrested Dr Usama Maj Sheikh on August 4 from Badlapur.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Gore confirmed that Shaikh was under digital surveillance and was discovered to be the ideological influencer behind Ajmal’s radicalisation.
Both accused are now under judicial custody, and ATS officials have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are working to identify more individuals linked to the extremist network.
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