INVC NEWS Mumbai – Two high-profile fugitives linked to the banned terrorist organization ISIS have been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The suspects, Abdullah Fayaz Sheikh alias Diaperwala and Talha Khan, were intercepted by immigration officials at Terminal 2 while attempting to return from Jakarta, Indonesia to India.
Accused Were Part of Pune-Based Sleeper Cell
The NIA confirmed that both suspects were integral members of a sleeper module operating out of Pune, Maharashtra. This module had been under investigation in a 2023 case involving the manufacturing and testing of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The activities were carried out covertly at a rented residence in Kondhwa, Pune, which was leased by Abdullah Fayaz Sheikh.
Two-Year Manhunt Ends at Mumbai Airport
The suspects had been on the run for nearly two years, evading authorities while continuing their overseas movements. Their return to India triggered immediate action by the immigration bureau, who alerted the NIA. Both men were swiftly taken into custody under the authority of a non-bailable warrant issued by the NIA Special Court. The agency had earlier placed a ₹3 lakh reward on information leading to the arrest of each fugitive.
Criminal Conspiracy Case Registered
A criminal conspiracy case has been registered against the duo under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The case is part of an ongoing probe into ISIS’s expanding influence within India, especially in urban hubs where sleeper cells are suspected to be recruiting and training.
List of Accused in the ISIS Pune Module Case
In addition to Sheikh and Khan, the NIA has already arrested eight other individuals in connection with the case:
Mohammad Imran Khan
Mohammad Yunus Saqi
Abdul Qadir Pathan
Simab Nasiruddin Qazi
Zulfiqar Ali Barodawala
Shamil Nachan
Akif Nachan
Shahnawaz Alam
These individuals were reportedly collaborating to procure, assemble, and test IEDs with the intent of executing coordinated terror attacks in India.
Indonesia Angle in the ISIS Network
Investigators are now probing the Jakarta connection, suspecting that Sheikh and Khan may have been coordinating with international ISIS handlers or safehouses. Their travel to Indonesia, a country with its own history of ISIS-related incidents, has raised red flags regarding cross-border terror networks and recruitment pathways.
NIA’s Growing Focus on Urban Radicalization
This arrest highlights the NIA’s intensified efforts to combat urban radicalization and domestic terror threats. The Pune sleeper module was seen as a critical node in ISIS’s India strategy, aiming to indoctrinate local youth and create a sustainable network for domestic terrorism operations.
What Happens Next
With the arrest of Sheikh and Khan, the NIA is expected to file supplementary chargesheets and possibly reveal more names associated with the Pune module. The agency is also set to interrogate the two suspects for further leads on the supply chain of explosive materials, potential funding sources, and foreign handlers.
NIA Commended for Swift International Action
Law enforcement experts have praised the coordinated efforts between the Immigration Bureau and the NIA, emphasizing how effective intelligence sharing and surveillance led to the capture of two high-risk fugitives without incident. The case is being seen as a major victory in India’s ongoing crackdown on ISIS-backed operations.
Public Urged to Remain Vigilant
Authorities have urged citizens to remain alert and report any suspicious activity. The recent arrests serve as a stark reminder that terror networks are actively seeking to exploit local vulnerabilities, often using digital platforms and religious radicalization as tools to recruit operatives.
India’s Stand Against Terror Strengthens
As India continues its decisive action against ISIS and its domestic modules, the arrests at Mumbai airport underscore a clear message: terrorist fugitives will not find safe passage back home. The NIA’s relentless pursuit of justice is bolstering national security and setting a global example for anti-terror coordination.
