Terrorist Arrested in Madhya Pradesh for Planning Lone Wolf Attack on Security Personnel

Faizan Sheikh, 34, was recently apprehended in Khandwa’s Saluja colony following a raid on his residence. The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) detained him under the strict Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and confiscated a substantial amount of jihadi literature linked to various terrorist groups including the Indian Mujahideen (IM), ISIS, and others. Additionally, they seized a pistol, live cartridges, mobile phones, and membership forms related to the banned organization Student’s Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). According to an official, the confiscated mobile phones and digital devices contained jihadi content from several terrorist organizations, and Faizan had connections with members of SIMI.

He also utilized social media, specifically Facebook, to disseminate the ideologies of IM and ISIS and circulated videos from jihadist training camps in Pakistan, speeches by prominent figures, and other related content. Allegedly, Faizan was meticulously planning a lone wolf attack and was in the process of obtaining more weapons through connections with illegal arms dealers. In response to the arrest, ATS Inspector General Dr. Ashish mentioned the state’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and anti-national activities, attributing the capture to the continuous efforts to maintain heightened surveillance across Madhya Pradesh. The ATS has taken Faizan on remand for interrogation, intending to extract details about his plans and associates.

Over the past three years, the Madhya Pradesh ATS has made numerous successful arrests associated with various terrorist groups and confiscated a substantial quantity of arms, ammunition, and anti-national literature. Additionally, the Indian Mujahideen, responsible for various bomb blasts in India from 2005 to 2013, has a notable presence in Madhya Pradesh through their co-founder Riyaz Bhatkal, focusing on recruitment and training.