New Delhi :In a major breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested the 11th key conspirator in the ISIS Pune sleeper module case. The accused, identified as Rizwan Ali, also known by his aliases Abu Salma and Mola, was a most-wanted terrorist carrying a bounty of ₹3 lakh for information leading to his capture.
Rizwan had been absconding in the RC-05/2023/NIA/MUM case and was under the radar for his active involvement in furthering the agenda of the banned terrorist organization Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The NIA Special Court had earlier issued a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) against him.
According to NIA investigations, Rizwan played a crucial role in conducting reconnaissance of multiple locations across Maharashtra for use as ISIS hideouts. He was also involved in providing weapons training and sessions on fabricating Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to other radicalized individuals.
Officials said Rizwan was a central figure in the ISIS-linked conspiracy aimed at destabilizing India through acts of terror and spreading communal hatred. He was part of a wider plot to establish Islamic rule in India by waging war against the state.
With Rizwan’s arrest, the total number of accused arrested in the case has now reached eleven. The other individuals currently in judicial custody include: Mohammed Imran Khan, Mohammed Yunus Saki, Abdul Kadir Pathan, Simab Nasiruddin Kazi, Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, Shamil Nachan, Akif Nachan, Shahnawaz Alam, Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh, Talha Khan.
All accused have been chargesheeted under stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act, and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The NIA emphasized that the probe is still ongoing as it works to uncover the full extent of the ISIS network operating in India. The agency reiterated its commitment to dismantling the terror infrastructure and neutralizing the threat posed by ISIS-inspired modules.
