Delhi Police Arrests ISIS-Linked Terrorist Rizwan Abdul Ali

Delhi Police arrested Rizwan Abdul Ali, an alleged ISIS operative linked to the Pune module, who had a ₹3 lakh bounty. The arrest, days before Independence Day, is part of ongoing efforts to combat ISIS activities in India. It follows NIA investigations and property attachments related to the terrorist group.

The Special Cell of Delhi Police has apprehended Rizwan Abdul Haji Ali, a resident of Daryaganj, for his alleged connections to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria's (ISIS) Pune module. The arrest, which took place on Thursday, comes less than a week before India's Independence Day celebrations, heightening security concerns in the capital.

Rizwan Ali, who had a ₹3 lakh bounty placed on him by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), is believed to be a key operative in the ISIS network operating in India. This arrest is part of an ongoing crackdown on terrorist activities linked to the international extremist group.

The NIA has been actively investigating the ISIS Pune module case, having attached four properties in Pune's Kondhwa area in March as "proceeds of terrorism." These properties were allegedly used for IED fabrication, terrorist training, and planning activities. The agency claims that the accused were involved in a conspiracy to carry out attacks across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and other parts of India.

Also Read: Neeraj Chopra Claims Silver in Paris Olympics Javelin Throw, Vows to Aim Higher

In December 2023, the NIA filed charges against six individuals in the Maharashtra ISIS terror module case, revealing a larger conspiracy with international connections. The accused were charged with furthering ISIS's terrorist activities and threatening India's security and secular ethos.

This arrest follows the detention of three ISIS terrorists by Delhi Police in October last year, including Mohammad Shahnawaz, who was on the NIA's most wanted list. These individuals were accused of being part of an ISIS sleeper cell in Pune.

As security measures intensify ahead of Independence Day, the Delhi Police has also procured 700 face detection CCTV cameras and briefed over 400 security guards in a crime detection effort.

The arrest of Rizwan Abdul Ali underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Indian security agencies in combating international terrorism and highlights the persistent threat posed by ISIS-affiliated groups within the country.