AP Police bust pan-India ISIS module, Hyderabad woman ran its women’s wing

The Andhra Pradesh Police have dismantled a pan-India terror module linked to ISIS and al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), with a Hyderabad woman named Sayeeda Begum at the helm of its women's wing. The operation, carried out on April 5, resulted in the arrest of dozens of members across multiple states. Begum, who led the "Khawateen" wing, was among those apprehended.

The terror module, identified as "Al Malik Islamic Youth," was reportedly operating under the guidance of foreign handlers based in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Syria. Earlier, the Andhra Pradesh police had deployed teams in several states, including Bihar, Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Telangana, and Rajasthan, to arrest a dozen suspects linked to the network. Among them were three individuals from the southern state.

Prime suspect Rahamathullah Sharif and his associates allegedly maintained contact with operatives who were engaged in spreading jihadi propaganda and motivating young people through online videos. The group's strategy included encouraging women to join the "Khawateen" wing as part of its expansion efforts.

An intelligence department official stated, "A jihadi module with links to foreign handlers and extremist organizations like the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has been unearthed, which was engaged in radicalizing youth in India." The accused members were actively sharing extremist content and maintaining connections with foreign handlers.

Investigators discovered that the group circulated videos featuring Osama bin Laden, Israr Ahmed Shaik, Zakir Naik, and Anwar al-Awlaki to influence Muslim youth towards jihad and extremist ideologies. The police found evidence that the group had established contact with handlers in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, and Bangladesh through over 40 social media accounts. Their intentions included facilitating "Hijrat" and establishing an Islamic State (Khilafat) in India.

The bust of this pan-India terror module highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to counter extremist activities and protect the nation from the threats posed by ISIS and AQIS. The arrest of Sayeeda Begum and her associates marks a significant victory in the fight against terrorism, particularly given the role of women in the organization's structure. The operation underscores the importance of vigilance and collaboration across states to effectively combat such threats.