In a significant operation spreading across multiple states, Delhi, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan's Anti-Terror Squads (ATS) have been actively conducting raids at various locations throughout the country. This operation stems from ongoing investigations into suspected terrorist activities. The joint efforts of these ATS teams have led to a major breakthrough in a case involving the formation of a terrorist organization aimed at establishing a 'Khilafat' within India. The investigations revealed plans to expand the operations of an 'Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent' module significantly.

The central figure in this case is a radiologist doctor employed at a well-known hospital in Ranchi, which serves as the capital of Jharkhand. This doctor is alleged to have played a pivotal role in leading the entire network aimed at terrorizing the nation. Following intensive investigative work, the ATS team successfully apprehended the accused doctor. As part of this wide-ranging operation, a total of 14 individuals across three different states have been detained, linked directly to this alarming case.

In a coordinated effort to dismantle this growing threat, the joint teams, including members from the Jharkhand ATS, Ranchi Police, and Delhi Police, executed simultaneous raids at 16 specific locations. These locations spanned across Ranchi itself and extended into Lohardaga and Hazaribagh. The raids have been fruitful, resulting in the detention of eight suspects thus far. The arrest of the radiologist, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the planned terrorist activities, marks a significant milestone in combating terrorism within the region.

This operation highlights the complexities and dangers of domestic terrorism and the lengths to which law enforcement agencies are going to prevent any acts of violence that threaten the nation's security.

Detention of 14 people from three states

In a coordinated effort to dismantle large terrorist networks, extensive raids have been carried out across various locations in the states of Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. These operations have led to the detention of 14 individuals linked to a terror module known as 'Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent.' Notably, among those detained, eight suspects are from Jharkhand alone. The detained individuals include a significant figure, Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, who is associated with a well-known hospital in Ranchi. The operations have been meticulously planned and executed to curb the spread and influence of this dangerous network within these regions.

The doctor is the leader of the module

Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed has emerged as the pivotal leader of this terror module. He resides in an apartment situated near Bariatu Joda Lake in Ranchi, which has become a focal point of the investigations. Law enforcement agencies successfully arrested him from this location. Dr. Ishtiaq hails from Jamshedpur and has been a medical professional working at a hospital in Ranchi for the past six years. He is an alumnus of RIMS, Ranchi, which is recognized as the largest hospital in the state. His deep-rooted connections and professional background have brought significant attention to the case, given his critical role in the terror network.

AK-47 Recover

The investigations have revealed that Dr. Ishtiaq was instrumental in extending the reach of this terror module beyond Jharkhand to include areas in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Reports from reliable sources have confirmed the recovery of several illegal weapons from the suspects detained in these raids, including an AK-47. This discovery underscores the severe threat posed by the network, as it indicates the level of preparedness for potential terrorist activities. Dr. Ishtiaq's ambitions were not just limited to regional disturbances; he was allegedly planning to declare a caliphate within India and initiate significant terrorist operations that could have had devastating impacts on national security.

The AK-47, known for its durability and effectiveness in combat, is a formidable weapon widely recognized for its role in various conflicts around the globe. This assault rifle, designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov, is notorious for its high lethality; it's capable of firing 600 rounds per minute, each round capable of inflicting critical damage due to its large caliber (7.62x39mm).

The price of an AK-47 varies significantly depending on the market and legality. In some areas, particularly where regulations are lax or in conflict zones, prices can be as low as a few hundred dollars. However, in regions with strict gun control laws, the costs can skyrocket, and the transaction becomes part of the black market, where prices are much higher due to the risks involved.

Given the high cost and strict regulations surrounding such weapons in many countries, including India, it raises substantial concerns about how individuals like those in the terror module led by Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed could acquire them. The funding for these weapons could be sourced through various illegal means, including support from larger terrorist organizations, smuggling, or through local networks of crime that have financial interests in creating instability or conducting terror activities. The presence of an AK-47 within this group suggests significant backing and resources, highlighting a well-organized operation capable of obtaining such weaponry despite legal and logistical barriers. This situation not only underscores the severity of the threat posed by such groups but also raises urgent questions about the sources of their funding and their broader network connections that enable them to arm themselves heavily.

Raids at 16 locations in Jharkhand

Jharkhand's IG of Operations, Amol V Homkar, provided a detailed briefing to the media at the Jharkhand Police Headquarters about the extensive raids conducted across the state. These operations spanned 16 specific locations, including areas within the districts of Ranchi, Lohardaga, and Hazaribagh. As a result of these carefully coordinated raids, eight suspects were detained. The operations were a collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement units, namely the Jharkhand ATS, Delhi Police, STF, and Ranchi Police. During the raids, the teams managed to seize a range of illegal items such as weapons, mobile phones, laptops, and various documents that raised suspicions regarding their contents and purposes.

Jharkhand ATS Arrests Suspected AQIS Member In Hazaribagh

In a related development in Hazaribagh, the Jharkhand Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) made significant progress by arresting a suspected terrorist linked to the Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). This arrest took place at Losinghana Chowk, under the jurisdiction of the Losinghana police station area in Hazaribagh district. The suspect, identified as Faizan Ahmed, aged 45, is the son of Abdul Rashid. Following his apprehension, the Jharkhand ATS swiftly presented Faizan in the ACJM court in Hazaribagh. The court ordered that he be remanded in ATS custody and transferred from Ranchi to Delhi for further investigation. Faizan, who resides in Lohsinghana and operates a wholesale business in Hazaribagh, has family roots in Mandi, where his parents currently live.

Sources have revealed that Faizan, the suspect arrested in Hazaribagh, had direct contacts with Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, a Ranchi-based doctor previously apprehended by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in a terror-related case. It is reported that Dr. Ishtiaq visited Hazaribagh, where he met Faizan, and the two shared a meal at a local hotel. During subsequent operations, the ATS team seized two laptops, a book, several mobile phones, and other electronic gadgets from the accused, suggesting a well-organized network involving sophisticated communication and planning tools.

Ongoing ATS Operations in Jharkhand

Over the past two days, the ATS has been actively conducting major operations across Jharkhand, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals suspected of affiliations with the Al Qaeda Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). These arrests took place during raids across 14 locations, including Caro in Lohardaga and Lohsinghana in Hazaribagh, among other districts. The operations also led to the recovery of weapons from a terrorist in Lohardaga, indicating the serious threat posed by these individuals.

Hazaribagh as a Terrorist Stronghold

According to ATS reports, Hazaribagh is increasingly being recognized as a stronghold for sleeper cells of terrorists. One notable arrest in this area was that of Shahnawaz Alam, a resident under the Pelawal police station in Hazaribagh. Shahnawaz, who studied B.Tech (Mining) at NIT Nagpur and graduated in 2016, was living in Abul Fazal Enclave in Delhi before moving to Hazaribagh during the lockdown. He was arrested in 2020 with weapons and is known for his expertise in explosives. Shahnawaz was previously on the NIA’s most wanted list, and the NIA had announced a bounty of Rs 3 lakh for information leading to his capture.

What is Caliphate, and what did Ranchi's doctor want?

A "Caliphate" is a form of Islamic government led by a Caliph, who is considered a political and religious successor to the Prophet Muhammad. Historically, the Caliphate aimed to unify the Islamic community (Ummah) under one leader governing according to Islamic law. This term also refers to the territorial jurisdiction that the Caliph governs, encompassing all believers and the lands they inhabit.

The concept of a modern Caliphate was vividly reintroduced to the global stage when ISIS, recognized as a terrorist organization, proclaimed its territory in Iraq and Syria as a Caliphate in 2014. Its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, declared himself the Caliph, aspiring to enforce a strict interpretation of Islamic law across its controlled territories, seeking to expand these borders to encompass a global Islamic rule.

In a disturbing parallel, Dr. Ishtiaq, the arrested radiologist from Ranchi, harbored similar ambitions. He purportedly aimed to establish an Islamic rule in India, facilitated through acts of terrorism. His objective was not just a theological imposition but also a political upheaval, aiming to replace the existing state structure with one governed by the laws he espoused.

Individuals like Dr. Ishtiaq and their affiliations with terrorist ideologies pose severe threats to national security. Their actions and goals undermine the stability and security of the state by attempting to impose a government based on radical interpretations of religious law, often accompanied by violent tactics. This not only threatens the physical safety of citizens but also challenges the secular and democratic fabric of India, aiming to replace it with a regime that restricts freedoms and governs through strict religious doctrine. The efforts to curb such threats are vital to maintaining national integrity and the safety of all its residents.