In a major crackdown by the Anti Terrorist Squad on a terrorist network linked to banned organisation of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HUT), four suspected people including a couple have been detained from Wasseypur area of Dhanbad district in Jharkhand.
Four sleeper cell members of Hizb ut Tahrir have been arrested after raids at various places in the same area. They were staying there and operating anti-national activities by connecting other youths of the state to their network.
Two pistols and 12 cartridges have been recovered from them along with laptop, pendrive, smartphones and other electronic gadgets.
According to a release from the ATS, acting on intelligence inputs, the team recovered illegal arms, electronic devices, and extremist literature during raids on April 26.
This marks the first criminal case in India following the recent ban on HuT under the UAPA Act. The arrested people have been identified as Ghulfam Hasan, Ayan Javed, Shahzad Aalam and Shabnam Parveen.
“On April 26, 2025, based on the facts uncovered from the said intelligence, multiple teams were formed to conduct searches and raids at suspected locations in Dhanbad district. During the raids, the following individuals were arrested.
From their possession, two pistols, 12 cartridges, several electronic devices (such as mobile phones, laptops), and a large quantity of documents/books related to banned organisations were recovered. A criminal case has been registered at ATS, Ranchi, and further investigation is underway,” the release stated.