A major law enforcement operation in India has resulted in the arrest of 12 individuals suspected of links to international terrorist organizations, including Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The arrests, carried out jointly by Andhra Pradesh and Delhi police, have exposed significant gaps in India’s monitoring and prevention of extremist activities, highlighting the country’s growing role as a potential launching pad for terrorist operations.
Investigations indicate that the suspects maintained contact with foreign handlers through online platforms, including a gaming application, which allowed them to coordinate radicalization efforts and plan militant activities. The individuals were reportedly associated with a group called “Benex Com,” linked to ISIS, which engaged in provocative online actions, including replacing India’s national flag with ISIS symbols and mocking the national anthem. The group promoted the idea of transforming India into an Islamic state and allegedly had plans to send members abroad for militant training.
Three individuals from Andhra Pradesh Mohammad Rahmatullah Shareef, Mirza Sohail Beg, and Mohammad Danish are reported to have formed a subgroup called “Al Malik Islamic Youth,” aimed at radicalizing young people and expanding the network across multiple Indian states. The trio allegedly posted videos portraying themselves as Mujahideen and imitating figures such as Osama bin Laden, demonstrating the reach and audacity of extremist propaganda within the country.
Authorities noted that the suspects developed direct contacts with foreign operatives and were following instructions to encourage youth to undergo militant training abroad. These developments reveal how India’s domestic weaknesses in counterterrorism and intelligence have allowed extremist networks to operate, expand, and even potentially use the country as a launching point for further activities in the region. Security analysts emphasize that the incident underscores serious challenges in detecting and curbing online radicalization and the domestic spread of militant networks.
The arrested individuals are currently under investigation, and Indian authorities continue to examine their communications and operational networks to prevent any further threat to national and regional security. The operation has drawn attention to the urgent need for stronger measures to prevent India from becoming an increasingly permissive environment for terrorist organizations.
