Gujarat ATS Arrests Bengaluru Woman Leading Al-Qaeda Linked Terror Module
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad has apprehended 30-year-old Shama Parveen in Bengaluru on allegations of leading a terror module associated with Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent. She has been identified by officials as the principal handler orchestrating the module's activities from Karnataka.
Her detention follows the arrest of four men on July 23 in the regions of Gujarat, Delhi, and Noida. The individuals, aged between 20 and 25, have been named as Mohd Fardeen, Sefullah Kureshi, Zeeshan Ali, and Mohd Faiq. Investigations reveal that they communicated via a social media platform and were allegedly tasked with targeting key locations across the country.
Authorities suspect the group had international connections and maintained contact with handlers outside India. Initial investigations indicate they were planning synchronized terror attacks and potentially belonged to a broader network.
This arrest is noteworthy against the backdrop of a recent report by the United Nations. The 32nd report from the UN Security Council's Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team has highlighted efforts by AQIS to expand its influence in the Indian subcontinent. Under the leadership of Osama Mehmood, the organization is reportedly strengthening its presence in areas like Jammu and Kashmir, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
The Gujarat ATS is actively pursuing the investigation to determine the full scope of the network's operations and its affiliations with international terror groups.
