In a major counter-terrorism operation, Jharkhand Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested four people in Dhanbad on Saturday for suspected ties with outlawed terrorist groups, including Hizb ut-Tahrir (HuT) and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS).
Acting on confidential intelligence, ATS teams carried out simultaneous raids at over 15 locations throughout Dhanbad, in Wasseypur and near Noor Masjid.
During the searches, authorities seized two sophisticated pistols, 12 rounds of ammunition, multiple mobile phones, laptops, and a large collection of banned extremist literature and documents.
Those arrested have been identified as Aayan Javed (21), Mohd. Shahzad Alam (20), Gulfam Hasan (21), and Shabnam Praveen (20). They are currently being questioned by ATS officials.
Initial findings suggest the group was allegedly involved in radicalising local youth through social media platforms and the dark web, connecting them to global terror networks. They are also suspected of participating in the illegal arms trade and engaging in other anti-national activities within Dhanbad.
A heavy police deployment was maintained at all raid locations to prevent any disturbances.
Hizb ut-Tahrir, established in Jerusalem in 1953, is known for advocating religious extremism and recruiting individuals for jihadist causes. Authorities report that the group has been raising funds for terrorism and has associations with ISIS and other banned outfits.
The Ministry of Home Affairs cited threats to India's sovereignty and national integrity as reasons for proscribing Hizb ut-Tahrir.
This recent operation mirrors a similar crackdown last year when Jharkhand ATS, along with Delhi Police, detained nine suspects during coordinated raids across Ranchi, Hazaribagh, and Lohardaga. Among those arrested was Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, a radiologist at Medica Hospital in Ranchi, accused of being a key Al-Qaeda agent with plans to establish an Islamic state in India.
A formal case has been filed at the ATS headquarters in Ranchi, and further investigations are underway to expose the full extent of the terror network’s operations in Jharkhand.
