Bombay: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested an engineering student from Mumbai for allegedly sharing online propaganda material linked to banned terror organisations, an official said here on Thursday.
According to the official, two other people are also being investigated in connection with the case.
The ATS launched search operations at several locations in the city as part of an investigation into suspected online radicalization linked to banned terror groups, following which a case was registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and engineering student Ayan Sheikh was taken into custody, he said.
ATS has seized electronic devices including laptop and mobile phones which have been sent for forensic examination, he added.
Sheikh had earlier come under the radar of investigative agencies as he was allegedly linked to extremist propaganda spread on social media and encrypted messaging platforms.
“The ATS received specific intelligence inputs regarding the spread of propaganda related to banned terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Islamic State. Based on the information, coordinated search operations were conducted at premises in Kurla, Govandi and Shivaji Nagar in Mumbai late on Monday night,” the official said.
During a search of Sheikh’s facilities, investigators reportedly found several audio and video clips linked to JeM chief Masood Azhar, he said.
“Sheikh was active on encrypted messaging platforms and Telegram channels where extremist content was disseminated. Several chats were also recovered that indicated attempts to promote terrorist recruitment. He allegedly shared extremist materials, attempted to recruit individuals and may have been involved in facilitating the financing of extremist activities,” the official said.
The ATS also found that Sheikh allegedly tried to influence two other youths, both engineering students and his close friends, by exposing them to radical content and adding them to Telegram groups carrying JeM and ISIS propaganda, the official said.
During coordinated raids in Govandi and Kurla, officials found that the two youths had access to extremist materials shared by the Sheikh.
However, investigators said they were not actively involved in any terror-related activities, adding that their statements were recorded as part of the ongoing investigation.
Sheikh was questioned for several hours, during which he allegedly revealed suspicious communications with foreign handlers and individuals linked to banned terrorist organizations, including JeM and ISIS, the official said.
According to sources, these groups of encrypted messages included several foreign nationals and suspected facilitators believed to be linked to sleeper networks and recruitment cells.
Officials further noted that several youths and individuals from various states across India were active members of these encrypted groups.
The records show that they frequently exchanged extremist content, radicalization instructions and instructions related to recruiting new members, they added.
Investigators are currently analyzing digital footprints to map the network involved, identify individuals undergoing radicalization and trace operational links to possible local sleeper cells, he said.
“Digital evidence and communication records have also been shared with agencies in other states to coordinate wider investigations and prevent potential recruitment at the local level. ATS is also examining Sheikh’s financial transactions and digital footprint to identify funding channels and logistical support allegedly used for extremist activities,” he said.
The accused will be produced before a special court in Mumbai on Friday, he said, adding that further arrests in the case cannot be ruled out as investigations continue.
