Pune: Vehicles Linked to Suspected Terrorists Confiscated in Kondhwa Raid

Kondhwa, 20th April 2024: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took swift action in Kondhwa following suspicions of a terrorist plot. In a proactive operation, vehicles linked to individuals under investigation were confiscated. Last year, in a joint effort with the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the NIA apprehended individuals planning bomb attacks in several major cities, including Pune and Mumbai, from the same area. During subsequent interrogations, it was discovered that the vehicles used in their activities were stored in Kondhwa.

The NIA team proceeded to seize these vehicles. Further investigation by the NIA has uncovered that ISIS-affiliated individuals, preparing for bomb attacks in key cities like Mumbai and Pune, have received training in bomb-making. As part of their ongoing efforts, on March 16, the NIA secured the residence where these individuals were residing in Kondhwa.

NIA has made significant progress in this case, apprehending individuals involved in the crime, including Muhammad Shahnaz Alam, Rizwan Ali, Abdulah Shaikh, Talah Liaquat Khan, Muhammad Imran Muhammad Yusuf Khan alias Matka alias Ameer Abdul Hamid Khan (from Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh), Muhammad Yunus Muhammad Yakub Saki alias Adil alias Adil Salim Khan (from Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh), Qadir Dastgir Pathan alias Abdul Qadir, Sameeb Naseeruddin Qazi (both residing in Kondhwa, Pune), Zulfiqar Ali Badodwala alias Lalabhai alias Lala alias Saif, Shamil Saqib Nachan, and Akif Atiq Nachan (all residents of Thane).

During the investigation, it was revealed that Mohammad Alam was apprehended by the police while attempting to steal a bike in the Kothrud area. He was handed over to the NIA for further investigation. The perpetrators of the crime had also committed a robbery at a garment shop in the Satara district, using the proceeds to procure materials for bomb-making. Additionally, they had conducted controlled detonations of bombs in forested areas of Kolhapur and Satara. Further investigation uncovered that they had received training in weapons handling. Following these findings, the NIA team proceeded to seize a flat in the Mitha Nagar area of Kondhwa.