The Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested the four suspects from Bhopal, UP, Rajasthan and Bihar. What their interrogation has revealed
The Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which had arrested a ‘radicalised’ man from Bhopal on June 12 for alleged anti-national activity, has now arrested three more suspects from other states. Preliminary investigations suggest the men had planned to go overseas to train to execute terrorist acts.
The ATS first arrested Mohammed Faraz, 35, a resident of Qazi Camp in Bhopal. Faraz worked in a homeopathy clinic and was allegedly in touch with a handler in Pakistan, as indicated by devices in his possession. Faraz’s interrogation led the ATS to unearthing further links in the network. Consequently, Naeem Qureshi, 38, from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, and Mohammed Shakir, 34, from Alwar district in Rajasthan, were arrested.
The fourth arrest by the ATS was made in Bihar—Izhar Ul Haq, 65, from Madhubani. Haq, the designated ‘Amir’ of the group, allegedly coordinated the plans among group members.
Sources said that as per literature and videos found with the suspects and their interrogation, the members wanted to train overseas for executing terror acts. Faraz had recently got his passport made and was planning to travel outside India. The group, sources claimed, aimed to ‘replace democratic government with the Khilafat’, and were ready to give up their lives for it.
While Faraz’s remand with the ATS has ended and he has been sent to jail, the others are in custody of the ATS and being interrogated. Sources said Faraz and Naeem had met in the past few months. Investigations have not yet established the identity of the handler in Pakistan even as financial links and monetary transactions are being scrutinised.
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Published By:
Yashwardhan Singh
Published On:
Jun 18, 2026 17:40 IST
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