The accused had been absconding for over two years; they returned from Indonesia
New Delhi, May 17 — The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two absconding members of an ISIS sleeper cell, wanted in connection with a 2023 IED fabrication case in Pune. Officials confirmed that the duo was apprehended at Mumbai International Airport after returning from Jakarta, Indonesia, where they had been hiding.Accused Intercepted Upon Arrival in Mumbai
The arrested individuals are Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh alias Diaperwala and Talha Khan. According to officials, the Bureau of Immigration intercepted them at Terminal 2 of the Mumbai International Airport late Friday night. Acting on the alert, the NIA team immediately took them into custody.Both men had been evading arrest for over two years and were declared absconders with non-bailable warrants issued against them by the NIA Special Court in Mumbai. A reward of ₹3 lakh each had been announced for information leading to their arrest.
Involvement in Terror Conspiracy and IED Training
The case pertains to a broader criminal conspiracy involving ten accused, all linked to ISIS's Pune sleeper cell. The group had allegedly conspired to wage war against the Government of India, aiming to incite violence and establish Islamic rule in the country.The NIA’s statement revealed that Shaikh had rented a house in Kondhwa, Pune, where he and Khan actively participated in assembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Between 2022 and 2023, they also conducted bomb-making workshops and carried out a controlled IED explosion as part of their training exercises.
Complete List of Accused in the ISIS Pune Module
The NIA has already filed a chargesheet against all ten accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act, and the Indian Penal Code. The individuals named in the case include:- Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh (Diaperwala)
- Talha Khan
- Mohammed Imran Khan
- Mohammed Yunus Saki
- Abdul Kadir Pathan
- Simab Nasiruddin Kazi
- Zulfikar Ali Barodawala
- Shamil Nachan
- Akif Nachan
- Shahnawaz Alam