Thane’s Shadow Network: Padgha Under ATS Radar As 22 Sites Raided In Radicalisation Probe

Mumbai: In a major counter-terrorism operation following the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Thane Rural Police conducted extensive search operations across 22 locations in Thane district, targeting suspected radical elements.

The joint operation commenced shortly after midnight on June 1 and continued until the afternoon of June 2. More than 400 personnel from Thane Rural Police were deployed at potential hotspots in the Padgha and Borivali areas. Sources confirmed that over fifty ATS officials carried out simultaneous raids, searching several houses at the same time.

According to ATS sources, the operation was launched following credible intelligence inputs indicating attempts to regroup dormant extremist networks and disseminate radical ideologies in the region.

The investigation centers on arrested terror accused Saquib Abdul Hamid Nachan, a former office-bearer of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and a prime accused in the ISIS Maharashtra terror module case. Nachan, a resident of Borivali-Padgha, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2023 for his alleged central role in the module. The NIA probe revealed Nachan held the title of Amir-e-Hind within the outfit and was pivotal in radicalizing and recruiting vulnerable youth. His son, Shamil Nachan, was also arrested in connection with the case. Nachan and his associates were reportedly involved in delivering provocative speeches inciting anti-national sentiments.

During the operation, The ATS team conducted a thorough search of Nachan’s house, which is inhabited by his elder son Aquif Nachan, his wife, four children, and mother, amid heavy police security. The Nachan’s residence House No. 86, Nachan Mohalla, Borivli Turf, Rahur Padgha, Bhiwandi. The NIA had earlier placed a notice indicating the property was being attached under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

An ATS official stated, “A search warrant was obtained from the competent court, and based on specific intelligence inputs, multiple premises linked to Saquib Nachan, his associates, and suspected ISIS sympathizers and radical elements were targeted.” Sources added that several individuals connected to these groups were questioned, with some called in to record their statements as part of the ongoing investigation.

During the operation, officials recovered several suspicious items including multiple SIM cards, mobile handsets, sharp weapons such as swords and knives, property-related documents, and printed material allegedly promoting terrorism and radical ideologies.

Officials said preliminary investigation indicates an attempt to reactivate dormant extremist networks in the region.

However the ATS and Thane rural police have no official arrests but the process of registering criminal cases. The ATS is currently conducting a detailed investigation to determine the extent of the alleged conspiracy.

Officials said the operation is part of a broader preventive strategy following the Pahalgam attack, aimed at identifying and dismantling any emerging modules that may pose a threat to national security.

Why Padgha?

According to the ATS sources Padgha has been developed as the hub of terror suspects in recent years.

According to the Anti-Terrorism agencies, the Maharashtra ISIS module had self-declared the village of Padgha as a ‘liberated zone’ and as ‘Al Sham’. They (terror suspects) were motivating impressionable Muslim youth to relocate in Padgha from their place of residence for strengthening the Padgha base.

When last time NIA raided Padgha and nearby Borivali area, they found that all members of ISIS Maharashtra module, were operating from Padgha-Borivali, where they had hatched the conspiracy to spread terror and carry out acts of violence across India. Pursuing the path of violent Jihad, Khilafat, ISIS etc, the accused had aimed to disturb the peace and communal harmony of the country and to wage a war against the Government of India," the central agency had previously stated.