India: Police arrest wanted ISIS terrorist near Delhi-Faridabad border

The special cell of Delhi police arrested a wanted ISIS terrorist identified asRizwan Abdul Haji Ali, 35,who is an alleged member of the Pune module from the Delhi-Faridabad borderon Thursday (Aug 8) evening.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced a reward of $3,573(₹3 lakh) against Ali on September 12, 2023, for his alleged involvement with the Pune ISIS module case. The terror suspect attended Delhi police’s “deradicalisation programme” in 2018 when he was picked by the special cell but was later let go.

The NIA announced a reward of $3,573 (₹3 lakh) each against any information on the four suspects: Rizwan Abdul Haji Ali and Abdulla Faiyaz Shaikh alias Daiperwala, from Delhi; Mohammed Shahnawaz Shafiuzzama Alam alias Shafi alias Abdulla of Jharkhand, and Talha Liyakat Khan of Pune, for their alleged involvement and connection with ‘Pune ISIS module case’.

The additional commissioner of the special police cell, Pramod Singh Kushwah said they took the terrorist under custody around 11:00 pm (local time), immediately after they got intel about his whereabouts.

He added, “A dedicated team of officials from the special cell immediately reached the spot and overpowered him. One star pistol of .30 bore and three live cartridges were also recovered from his possession. A case has been registered against Rizwan. He was wanted by Delhi Police in a UAPA case in the capital and by NIA in a similar case in Kalachowki area in Mumbai.”

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A report by Hindustan Times citing another officer involved in the case said that Ali had been escaping from the custody of Pune police.

The officer added, “Ali, a resident of Daryaganj in Delhi, also allegedly conducted reconnaissance of several high-profile targets in Delhi and Mumbai, along with other members of the Pune ISIS module. The NIA had already arrested seven individuals involved in the ISIS Pune module. However, three suspects, including Rizwan, escaped during the crackdown. The NIA had previously arrested several of Rizwan’s associates involved in the same module.”

(With inputs from agencies)