The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad arrested a 19-year-old Maqsood Ali from Coimbatore
LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) arrested a 19-year-old man from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, in connection with an alleged module linked to the ideology of Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), officials said on Wednesday. His arrest follows the detention of another accused, Mohammad Nabeel, from Azamgarh on September 12. Following verification of the intelligence, the UP ATS registered FIR under Sections 152 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Sections 18 and 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. The first accused, Mohammad Nabeel, son of Mohammad Danish and a resident of Chitara Mahmoodpur village under Didarganj police station in Azamgarh, was arrested on September 12. He was arrested in Coimbatore on September 14 with the assistance of Tamil Nadu ATS and subsequently brought to Lucknow on transit remand.
It had received intelligence that a group of individuals was allegedly using various social media platforms to form groups and plan anti-national activities, according to the UP ATS. ATS said the individuals were allegedly influenced by the ideology of Al Qaeda-linked preacher Anwar al-Awlaki and were attempting to recruit young people through WhatsApp groups, with plans to provide them training to become “mujahids”, including training related to weapons and raising funds. The ATS said people from different parts of India as well as foreign individuals were allegedly connected with the online network. The ATS alleged that Maqsood, along with Nabeel and others, was involved in a conspiracy to carry out violent “jihadist” activities against India.
The accused, identified as Maqsood Ali, was arrested from Coimbatore with the assistance of the Tamil Nadu ATS. With Maqsood’s arrest, two accused have so far been arrested in the case. Investigators further alleged that Maqsood had come into contact with Pakistani hackers and was attempting to develop hacking tools.
He was produced before the competent court, where further legal proceedings are underway.
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The agency said he had also developed a secure application called “CAPTAIN M NETWORK”, whose stated motto was “One Platform, One Motive, Unity, Plan and Action. The application was used to connect Nabeel, Maqsood and other individuals, according to investigators. The ATS said Maqsood was operating two WhatsApp accounts and was associated with groups carrying names such as “UU Entry Gate”, “United Ummah”, “Gazwa-e-Hind”, “Team Black Hat” and “Lashkar-e-Mehndi”. Several Pakistani numbers, including those allegedly belonging to Pakistani hackers, according to the agency. Investigators said discussions in the groups included plans to develop secure messaging applications and create a common platform for communication.
The ATS also alleged that jihadist and extremist material was being circulated through the groups. Download the TOI App.
Allegations Against Maqsood Ali Emerge in Cybercrime Investigation
Investigators from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) have identified Maqsood Ali as a suspected member of a cybercrime network during their inquiry involving Nabeel. According to ATS reports, Maqsood claimed to have acquired skills in Python, Java, and hacking through various online platforms, including Instagram, YouTube, Telegram, and multiple WhatsApp groups. This revelation highlights the growing trend of individuals using social media and online resources to learn technical skills related to cyber activities.