Arrested ‘terror sympathisers’ remanded in custody in Vijayawada Three individuals suspected of supporting extremist activities were arrested in Vijayawada and remanded in judicial custody until April 6. The accused, identified as Mohammad Rehmatulla Sharif, Mohammed Danish, and Mirza Sohail Beg, were linked to alleged anti-national propaganda and connections with banned terrorist groups such as ISIS and AQIS. The arrests were part of a counter-intelligence operation, with police stating the suspects had been influenced by radical ideologies and actively shared content promoting extremist causes through social media. The arrested individuals were described as leading ordinary lives, with Sharif working as an Ola bike rider, Danish as a biryani shop cashier, and Beg as a daily wage worker. Authorities claimed they were part of online networks aimed at radicalizing youth for potential jihadi activities. Counter-intelligence sources indicated the trio had formed connections with like-minded individuals across multiple states, including Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Bihar, West Bengal, and Rajasthan. A larger network, suspected to operate under the name “BENX,” is believed to be expanding extremist activities nationwide. During the investigation, police seized multiple electronic devices and mobile phones from the suspects. Preliminary analysis suggested the accused had searched for bomb-making methods online, though no successful attempts were confirmed. Authorities also alleged that at least 10 additional individuals from different regions were in contact with the suspects via social media platforms. Efforts are ongoing to trace these individuals. The suspects were produced before the chief metropolitan magistrate court, which ordered their remand in custody until April 6.#vijayawada #mirza_sohail_beg #modohammad_rehmatulla_sharif #mohammad_danish #benx

12 Arrested Across States Over Links With ISIS, Al-Qaeda A coordinated multi-state operation led to the arrest of 12 individuals suspected of having ties to extremist groups including ISIS and Al-Qaeda, according to police. The arrests took place in Bihar, Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Telangana, and Rajasthan. An intelligence official confirmed that teams were deployed across these states to apprehend the suspects, with three of them identified as residents of Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. The three suspects—Mohammad Rahmatullah Shareef, Mirza Sohail Beg, and Mohammad Danish—were allegedly involved in promoting extremist ideologies and coordinating activities linked to banned terrorist organizations. Investigations revealed they had formed a group called "Al Malik Islamic Youth" with the goal of radicalizing youth, preparing them for jihad, and expanding their network nationwide. The group reportedly established contact with terrorist outfits like Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and ISIS, following instructions from foreign handlers. Rahmatullah, a bike taxi driver, was influenced by hate speeches from international terrorist leaders and shared extremist content on social media. He allegedly developed a connection with a foreign handler named Al-Hakeem Shukur through online platforms and collaborated with operatives in Bihar and Hyderabad. The suspects also linked with individuals associated with the ISIS-linked "Benex Com" group, including figures from Bihar, Delhi, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. The accused were found to have engaged in activities such as replacing the national flag with ISIS imagery in online posts, mocking the national anthem, burning the national flag, and praising ISIS.#al_malik_islamic_youth #al_qaeda_in_the_indian_subcontinent #benex_com #mohammad_rahatullah_shareef #mirza_sohail_beg