Mumbai: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Monday carried out coordinated raids at more than 15 locations across Mumbai, Thane, Bhiwandi, and other parts of the state. One of the key premises searched was the residence of Saquib Nachan, a former office-bearer of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and a prime accused in the ISIS Maharashtra module case.
An ATS team, along with personnel from the Thane Rural Police, began the operation early in the morning at Padgha village in Thane district. Officials confirmed that locations linked to known ISIS sympathizers and suspects were also targeted during the raids.
Sources said the agency had been tracking suspicious activities linked to the module for several months. “We have identified certain individuals, and searches are being conducted accordingly,” a senior ATS officer said, without revealing further details.
Nachan, who goes by aliases such as Raveesh, Khalid, and Saquib, was arrested in 2023 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his alleged central role in the ISIS Maharashtra module. The NIA probe revealed that Nachan held the title of Amir-e-Hind within the outfit and played a pivotal role in radicalizing and recruiting vulnerable youth.
According to the investigation, several accused in the case had pledged allegiance (bayth) to Nachan, recognizing him as their ideological leader. A foreign-based ISIS handler, identified through multiple aliases including Abu Suleman, Abu Sultan, and Mohammad Bhai, is believed to have coordinated directly with Nachan, who in turn administered the pledge to other operatives as part of a wider terror conspiracy.
Officials said the accused were conspiring to destabilize India’s internal security, disrupt democratic institutions, and spread communal unrest. Nachan is currently lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail.
His son, Shamil Nachan, was also arrested in the same case earlier this year for his alleged involvement in the terror plot.
