In a significant development in the ongoing crackdown on ISIS-linked sleeper cells operating within India, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Rizwan Ali, also known by his aliases Abu Salma and Mola. He is the 11th individual apprehended in connection with the ISIS Pune module case, which investigators believe was actively plotting terrorist attacks intended to destabilize the country.
Ali, who had been absconding for months, was the subject of a non-bailable warrant issued by the NIA Special Court and carried a ₹3 lakh reward for information leading to his capture. According to the NIA, he was a central figure in facilitating extremist operations—allegedly overseeing reconnaissance of potential safehouses, organizing arms and explosives training sessions, and teaching methods to fabricate Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
His arrest is part of a larger probe registered as RC-05/2023/NIA/MUM, a case that targets a broader network of individuals believed to be working in close coordination to propagate the ideology of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in India. Authorities claim the module aimed to carry out targeted attacks, foment communal unrest, and further the objective of imposing a radical Islamist regime through violent subversion.
Earlier Arrests and Charges
Ten individuals had already been arrested in the case, including known operatives such as Mohammed Imran Khan, Mohammed Yunus Saki, Abdul Kadir Pathan, Simab Kazi, Zulfikar Barodawala, Shamil Nachan, Akif Nachan, Shahnawaz Alam, Abdullah Shaikh, and Talha Khan. These individuals have all been chargesheeted under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act, and Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Each of them is accused of participating in a structured conspiracy to execute acts of terror, both independently and under the broader command of ISIS handlers—possibly located overseas. Evidence gathered so far points to the systematic radicalization of vulnerable youth, clandestine communications through encrypted apps, and preparation for targeted violence in urban centers.
Ongoing Investigation
The NIA has reiterated that the investigation remains active and far-reaching, with more arrests likely. Officials are continuing to trace the funding routes, identify additional recruits, and explore international linkages that may be supporting the module’s activities.
The agency emphasized that dismantling such sleeper cells is a critical part of India’s counterterrorism strategy, especially as terror outfits evolve tactics to exploit online platforms, encrypted communications, and informal networks. The arrest of Rizwan Ali is considered a key breakthrough in disrupting what was suspected to be an operationally mature and ideologically hardened terror module.
