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
