On 22nd August, the Delhi Police announced that they had busted an “Al-Qaeda-inspired” terror network operating in Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. They detained 14 suspects in connection with the case. They conducted at least 15 raids in collaboration with the police forces of the involved states, following intelligence inputs.

In a statement, the Delhi Police noted that the “intelligence-based operation” was coordinated and carried out by its Special Cell in collaboration with the police forces of the three states.

“The module was led by Dr. Ishtiyaq, a resident of Ranchi in Jharkhand. He was aspiring to declare Khilafat [Caliphate] and execute serious terrorist activities within the country,” it further said.

A senior police officer stated that the suspects were indoctrinated and trained at various locations to handle weapons. “The police are interrogating all detainees at various locations and additional arrests are likely,” the officer added.

According to the police, six individuals were detained in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, while undergoing “weapon-handling” training, and eight others were detained from Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh for further questioning.

The police also reported recovering arms, ammunition, documents, and literature from several locations, with additional seizures ongoing. They conducted searches at fifteen locations in Ranchi, as well as one each in Rajasthan and Aligarh.

At a press conference, Jharkhand Police Spokesperson, Inspector-General (Operation) Amol V. Homkar, stated that several individuals suspected of terrorist activities were detained in coordination with Central agencies, based on intelligence inputs.

On 22nd August, 16 searches were conducted in Jharkhand across three districts—Ranchi, Hazaribagh, and Lohardaga. The searches were carried out by the Jharkhand Anti-Terror Squad, Jharkhand Special Task Force, Ranchi Police, and the Special Cell of Delhi Police. “All eight suspects are being interrogated for further information, based on which more locations will be searched and more persons detained,” he said.

The Jharkhand Police also reported seizing illegal weapons, laptops, mobile phones, and other incriminating documents. “We are verifying all seizures, and once all information is in place and everybody is interrogated, legal action will be taken. All searches are being done from a security point of view,” the officer said.

Image Source: Hindustan Times