Latest news with #ShamaParveen
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bengaluru woman advocated for an armed revolution: ATS
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which arrested four alleged Al Qaeda operatives from Modasa and Ahmedabad on July 23, has made further revelations in its investigation, focusing on their alleged handler, Shama Parveen. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The 30-year-old woman from Bengaluru was arrested on July 30 and is currently in 14-day ATS remand. According to ATS officials, Parveen allegedly operated multiple social media handles to promote radical ideology for Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). She reportedly posted content appealing to Pakistan army chief Asim Munir to lead a unified military campaign under a project named "Khilafat", particularly during a period of India-Pakistan tensions from May 7 to 10. The ATS said it retrieved posts and videos in which Parveen advocated for an armed revolution in India, and shared speeches by controversial clerics, who publicly supported the idea of establishing a Khilafat system in the country. Investigators claimed Parveen also circulated provocative content targeting Indian democratic institutions, including videos referencing demolition actions in Gujarat. These posts and videos have been seized as digital evidence and will be included in the chargesheet, the ATS officials said. Officials added that the investigation is currently focused on uncovering foreign linkages and identifying the digital platforms used to disseminate radical content. The arrest of the four suspected AQIS operatives last month led investigators to Parveen, who was allegedly directing their activities online. The ATS stated that Parveen ran several social media accounts to spread extremist content and incite violence. Her online activity, which intensified during geopolitical flashpoints, included the sharing of incendiary speeches, videos, and text messages. She has been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Gujarat ATS tracks Shama Parveen's push for Ghazwa-e-Hind via online jihad propaganda
AHMEDABAD: In a chilling development linked to the 23 July terror arrests, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has revealed that Shama Parveen, the alleged Al-Qaeda handler arrested from Bengaluru on 30 July, was actively pushing provocative content online. Her posts allegedly glorified Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir and called for an armed uprising against Hindus and Indian democracy. The ATS also found disturbing videos allegedly targeting the RSS, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the United States, alongside visuals of demolitions in Gujarat. Parveen is currently in 14-day custody as the investigation deepens. The ATS probe, which began with the 23 July arrest of four radicalised men from Ahmedabad, Modasa, Delhi, and Noida, has now zeroed in on Shama Parveen, allegedly the digital handler of the module. Originally from Jharkhand and residing in Bengaluru's Hebbal area with her brother, Parveen had been operating multiple social media handles to allegedly peddle Al-Qaeda's extremist narrative. Through both encrypted platforms and open posts under aliases such as Strangers of the Nation, she allegedly praised Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, called for an armed revolution against Hindus, and promoted the Ghazwa-e-Hind ideology, a radical dream of Islamic conquest of India.
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Al Qaeda in Indian subcontinent rearing its head again, agencies see strategic recalibration
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Gandhinagar: Shama Parveen was picked up from her residence in Bengaluru by Gujarat ATS on July 29, 2025. The 33-year-old commerce graduate from Jharkhand was allegedly carrying out propaganda for Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent AQIS ) on social media follows the arrest of four more AQIS operatives -- Fardin Sheikh from Ahmedabad, Mahammad Faique from Chandni Chawk in Delhi, Jishan Ali from Noida and Saifullah Qureshi from Modasa, Aravalli district in Gujarat signifying a probable spread of the terror outfit in the region. The primary allegation against the five has been that they have been propagating incendiary Jihadi propaganda online. Parveen, according to ATS, had initially confessed that she used to upload incendiary material on social media, including speeches of AQIS leaders like Maulana Asim Umar and Anwar al-Awlaki, and videos of Maulana Abdul Aziz of Lahore's Lal Masjid on her accounts. Some posts urge the youth to wage Jihad in India, particularly in Delhi, UP, Bihar, Bengal and South India, apart from activity follows a pattern consistent with the AQIS modus operandi of recruitment. AQIS, since its inception in 2014, has relied heavily on online propaganda for recruitment apart from person to person contact and, barring a few acts of terror in Pakistan and Bangladesh, have so far registered very limited field activity. The allegations against the recent arrestees appear to confirm the same status. While formally announcing AQIS in 2014 as an umbrella organisation for the violent Jihadist groups of South Asia with affiliation to Al Qaeda, al-Qaeda's late leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in his founding statement said that "AQIS would fight for Muslims in Burma, Bangladesh, Assam, Gujarat, Ahmedabad, and Kashmir". However, the US National Counter Terrorism Centre had in May 2024 reported that the size of the outfit was under 200 and its last terror attack was in Bangladesh in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, AQIS had issued a statement on May 7, declaring war on India to be 'Jihad fi sabilillah' or a cause of AQ has been trying to make itself relevant in the subcontinent for long, in April 2022, Zawahiri commented on the protests over the ban on hijab in schools and pre-university colleges in Karnataka. Similarly, AQIS incited attacks in retaliation for the alleged blasphemies and reminded all 'brothers' in the subcontinent that Prophet Muhammad foretold the victory of Islam in India leader Mohammad Asif, who was arrested in late 2015 by Delhi Police, had admitted that the Indian recruits were being transported to Afghanistan for training in weapons, tactics and religious Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH), a Kashmir-based group under the leadership of Zakir Musa, was formally announced in an official statement released by the Al-Qaeda affiliated media unit -- the Global Islamic Media Front -- in 2017. By 2019, the outfit's leadership was eliminated by Indian security has its presence in Bangladesh through Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), which has been a cause of concern for the agencies for a while. Immediately after taking over Bangladesh's administration, the Muhammad Yunus-led caretaker government had freed Jasimuddin Rehmani, chief of a known AQIS affiliate, sending shockwaves across the the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government last August, several incarcerated terrorist leaders were freed in Dhaka, including ABT India operations chief Ikramul Haque alias Abu Talha. Although ABT has been trying to spread its tentacles in India, several ABT operatives have been arrested in India.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Time of India
Bengaluru woman spread radical content for AQIS: Gujarat ATS
Ahmedabad: A day after the Gujarat ATS arrested a 30-year-old woman from Bengaluru, Shama Parveen Ansari, the agency officers on Wednesday claimed that she operated social media accounts used to spread 'al-Qaida in the Indian subcontinent' (AQIS) propaganda and incite jihad. Officials said Parveen was a key digital propagandist who disseminated radical content calling for armed revolt and religious violence. Shama Parveen was arrested from her rented house in RT Nagar, Bengaluru, on Tuesday. According to Gujarat ATS, she operated key social media handles disseminating jihadi content. "This arrest is a part of an ongoing investigation into AQIS-linked radicalisation of Indian youth. We have evidence that Shama Parveen was the user behind Instagram account 'strangers_nation02' and Facebook pages 'Strangers of The Nation' and 'Strangers of The Nation 2'," said Gujarat ATS in an official statement. The agency added, "These accounts were used to post videos and speeches of AQIS leader Maulana Asim Umar and Imam Anwar al Awlaki calling for armed revolution against the Indian govt, promotion of Ghazwa-e-Hind, and inciting violence against non-believers." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Explore the 18 Most Stunning Hotel Pools Only the Rich and Famous Get to Swim In! Click Here Undo "She also circulated video messages of Maulana Abdul Aziz of Lal Masjid, Lahore, calling upon Muslims to wage armed struggle against the Indian state," ATS said. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Earlier, on July 22, Gujarat ATS arrested four men from Ahmedabad, Modasa, Delhi, and Noida for promoting similar content. The agency said, "We digitally tracked the origin of this propaganda to the accounts operated by Shama Parveen." "She was apprehended with the help of central agencies and local police. Her mobile phone was seized and examined, and prima-facie evidence confirmed her role in radicalisation," said ATS. "Parveen has been brought to Gujarat on a transit remand. A case under Sections 13, 18, 38, and 39 of the UAPA has been registered against her. Her electronic devices and communication records are under forensic analysis," the agency added. Gujarat ATS concluded, "The woman established digital links with foreign entities, including those in Pakistan. Her involvement in recruiting or influencing others is part of a broader probe now underway. " Shama Parveen sent to police remand for 14 days Ahmedabad: Shama Parveen Ansari, who was arrested from Bengaluru allegedly for spreading al-Qaida ideology through social media, was sent to 14-day custodial interrogation on Wednesday. Ansari was produced before judicial magistrate of first-class, M D Virani, at Ahmedabad rural court after being arrested by the ATS. Seeking her remand for 14 days, assistant public prosecutor Sandeep Gautam submitted before the court that she had been operating an Instagram ID since 2022, several Facebook pages, and was accused of uploading jihadist speeches by al-Qaida in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) leader Maulana Assim Umar. The content called for armed revolution against the govt of India, Ghazwa-e-Hind, religious hatred, and terrorist attacks. Ansari was accused of posting jihadi speeches by AQIS's Imam Anwar al Awlaki and Lahore's Lal Masjid's Maulana Abdul Aziz on these social media accounts, thereby inciting Indian Muslim youth to carry out violence on religious grounds against members of other religions, the ATS stated in its remand application. The probe agency wanted to question her in custody also to know more about the earlier arrest of other alleged AQIS supporters. Fardeen Shaikh, a resident of Ahmedabad; Mohd Faiq, a resident of Delhi; Zeeshan Ali, a resident of Noida in Uttar Pradesh; and Saifullah Qureshi, a resident of Modasa in Gujarat's Aravalli district, were arrested last week on allegations of being involved in propagating AQIS ideology. They were booked under the provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Time of India
Gujarat ATS arrests woman from B'luru for contact with terror modules
Bengaluru/Ahmedabad: A 30-year-old woman, who allegedly maintained contact with terror modules and shared posts related to radicalisation, was arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) from her rented home in Bengaluru's Hebbal area on Tuesday. Sources said ATS officers who were tracking people in contact with terror modules received information about the activities of Shama Parveen, a Jharkhand native staying in a rented home in the city with her brother for the past three years. She is accused of sharing posts related to radicalisation, downloading speeches and uploading those on her Instagram account. She was allegedly in contact with terror modules and considered a sympathiser of banned terror outfits. She also followed on Instagram a few persons recently arrested by ATS in other states. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Senior ATS officials told TOI that Parveen's Instagram accounts were linked to suspects promoting al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) ideology. Her arrest is part of a broader crackdown on online radicalisation. Almost a week ago, Gujarat ATS had arrested four men from Ahmedabad, Modasa, Delhi, and Noida for allegedly inciting youth towards anti-national activities through social media. These suspects were found promoting AQIS propaganda under the banner of 'Ghazwa-e-Hind' and encouraging followers to take up arms against Indian democratic institutions. Following her arrest, ATS produced Parveen in court and obtained a transit warrant to move her to Gujarat for further investigation.
