Maharashtra ATS Uncovers Alarming Terrorist Cell Planning Parallel Governance
Maharashtra ATS's Major Operation
In a significant operation, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) dismantled an alleged sleeper cell linked to suspicious terrorist activities, including a scheme to create a parallel governance system. The ATS executed search operations at 22 sites in Thane, successfully disrupting the sleeper cell in Padgha and Borivali. Initial investigations indicate that the group was plotting harmful actions under the guise of establishing a separate religious government. The raids commenced around 4 AM on Monday and extended into the afternoon, involving over 250 police personnel, including 20 teams from the ATS.
Details of the Conspiracy
According to various reports, the investigation was initiated following specific intelligence regarding Saquib Nachan's family, a former official of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and a key suspect in the ISIS Maharashtra terror module case. Nachan was apprehended in 2023 for his involvement in this terror module. He, along with family members, associates, and several new recruits, was believed to be part of the plots aimed at establishing a parallel government.
Structure of the Parallel Government
A senior ATS official, as reported by a local media outlet, stated, 'We have gathered evidence indicating that the group allocated responsibilities among its members, assigning them roles akin to ministers to transform their village into an independent state. Their objective was to create a governance framework based on their interpretation of Sharia law.'
It is reported that approximately 15 local youths were enlisted and given specific duties to manage a covert organization they referred to as the 'Shariyat-e-Al-Sham' administration. This entity operated as a separate government, disregarding the Indian Constitution and functioning independently of any official authority. There are also accounts of members delivering incendiary speeches, with some claiming that the Padgha area is not part of India.
Background on Saquib Nachan
Saquib Nachan has been implicated in numerous terror-related incidents and has been monitored by security agencies since the 1990s. In 1997, he was convicted by the Supreme Court for orchestrating terror attacks in collaboration with Khalistani terrorists during the early 1990s. Subsequently, in 2016, a Mumbai court sentenced him to 10 years under the Arms Act for his involvement in the 2002-03 Mumbai blasts. After serving both sentences, he was released in 2017.
In December 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids in Padgha and other locations across Maharashtra, resulting in the arrest of 15 individuals. The NIA previously stated that Nachan was leading the ISIS faction in Maharashtra and was plotting violent activities within India. During these raids, authorities discovered substantial amounts of unaccounted cash, firearms, knives, critical documents, smartphones, and various digital devices.