Delhi Police’s Special Cell has uncovered a major pan-India terror module allegedly guided by a Pakistan-based handler, aiming to establish a “Khilafat-style” regime in India. Five suspects, Ashhar Danish, Sufiyan Abubakar Khan, Aaftab Ansari, Huzaifa Yaman, and Kamran Qureshi, were arrested from four different states.
According to Additional Commissioner (Special Cell) Pramod Kushwaha, the group had devised a two-phase plan: first, to create a Khilafat-style outfit named “Lashkar,” and then to launch a jihad inspired by the Ghazwa-e-Hind narrative based on their distorted interpretation of Islam.
#WATCH | Delhi Police Special Cell busted a Pan-India terror module and arrested five terrorists identified as Ashhar Danish, Sufiyan Abubakar Khan, Aaftab Ansari, Huzaifa Yaman and Kamran Qureshi
A large quantity of materials and precursors for making IED have been seized from… https://t.co/uAcHkQ8r58 pic.twitter.com/zoCOqCkCJK
— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2025
“They were planning to form their own Khilafat-style group as a first step. After that, they intended to wage jihad, including targeted killings, following the Ghazwa-e-Hind concept,” Kushwaha stated.
The police seized a large cache of suspicious and potentially dangerous materials from the accused, including sulphur powder, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, sodium bicarbonate, a pH level checker, ball bearings, and various components used for assembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs). They also recovered wires, motherboards, laptops, mobile phones, as well as firearms and cartridges.
A total of 11 individuals were detained in connection with the case, of whom five have been formally arrested. According to police, the group was led by Ashhar Danish from Ranchi, who posed as a businessman running a professional company. He referred to himself as “CEO” in public, while within the inner circle, he was known as the “Ghazwa leader.” The group was also attempting to acquire land under the guise of operating an NGO.
“These are highly radicalised individuals who operated through a close-knit internal group,” said Additional Commissioner Kushwaha.
Ashhar Danish was apprehended in Ranchi, while Sufiyan Abubakar Khan and Aaftab Ansari were arrested in Delhi. Huzaifa Yaman was taken into custody in Nizamabad, Telangana, and Kamran Qureshi was nabbed in Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh.
Delhi Police revealed that the accused had received training in assembling improvised explosive devices and even manufacturing cartridges. Investigators also recovered “incriminating drawings” from the suspects. According to police, the group admitted that their handler was instructing them online on how to build IEDs and had directed them to procure various chemicals and components required to make bombs.
“This was a homegrown operation,” said Additional Commissioner Pramod Kushwaha. “They were instructed to independently procure weapons and make IEDs and even cartridges. Some incriminating sketches have also been recovered from them.”
Delhi Police have registered an FIR against the accused under charges related to promoting communal propaganda, inciting religious disharmony, and possession of illegal arms.
Central agencies are currently analysing the digital devices seized from the suspects to trace their network and uncover any potential international links. According to police, the arrests have likely prevented a major terror attack in the country.
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