Foiling Extremism: India's Fight Against Al Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent's Silent Infiltration
The recent dismantling of Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) modules across India has revealed a meticulously crafted strategy aimed at embedding extremist networks within the country. With a focus on decentralized operations, targeted recruitment, and grassroots radicalization exploiting local vulnerabilities, AQIS seeks to establish its Pan-India terror networks, mostly in remote places, to destabilize the country while advancing its violent jihadist ideology.
This brief delves into AQIS's evolving tactics—highlighted by recent arrests ( in Jharkhand and Rajasthan) to shed light on its overarching objective of gaining a foothold in India.
Transnational Jihadist group Al Qaeda's attempt to establish a foothold in India, mainly through its regional affiliate AQIS, demonstrates the group's persistence in exploiting local vulnerabilities and building regional alliances. The recent findings from Jharkhand, where AQIS operatives sought to establish a training camp on Nakata Hill, highlight a sophisticated and decentralized strategy targeting underprivileged and vulnerable communities. Extremist ideologies often lure such communities due to economic and social marginalization.
Ishtiyaq Ahmed, a health care professional (radiologist) from Ranchi who turned AQIS mastermind, exemplifies how educated individuals can spearhead recruitment and radicalization efforts. He was arrested in August 2024. His "Ranchi Radical Group" (RRG) underscores Al Qaeda's focus on forming localized units that are seemingly challenging to detect and demolish. This strategy, however, faced setbacks due to proactive counterterrorism measures, including arrests and intelligence-driven multi-state operations across Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The seizure of advanced weaponry (e.g. AK 47), propaganda literature and training materials from multiple AQIS modules suggests a clear intent to execute high-profile terrorist attacks targeting sensitive installations. Inspired by AQ ideologues abroad, these modules operate covertly to minimize risk while coordinating over encrypted communication channels such as Telegram and Rocketchat.
Clockwise: 1-Mohd Asif, 2-Asim Umar, 3-Istiyaq Ahmed & 4-Abdur Rahman
However, despite its ambitions to penetrate India's hinterland (beyond Kashmir), AQIS struggles with operational consistency and has repeatedly faced disruption by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) and other security establishments. For instance, the dismantling of sleeper cells linked to Ishtiyaq Ahmed and the neutralization of a training camp in a forested area of Chopanki in Bhiwadi (Rajasthan) in August 2024 signalled the security and intelligence agencies' efficiency in pre-empting jihadist threats.
While AQIS's operations in India remain sporadic, its persistent attempts to establish a base highlight the need for sustained vigilance. Enhancing community resilience against radicalization and fostering socioeconomic inclusion can complement security measures to address the root causes AQIS exploits. Despite considerable efforts, the group's inability to achieve a durable presence in India underscores the effectiveness of these multifaceted counterterrorism strategies.
Al Qaeda's efforts to establish a base in India, So far!
After its formation in 2014, Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, under the leadership of its Indian-origin chief, Asim Umar (now deceased and replaced by Usama Mahmud of Pakistan), made multiple attempts to establish localized units in India, similar to the Ansar al-Islam structure in Bangladesh. The goal was to operationalize AQIS's jihadist agenda on Indian soil through recruitment, training, and radicalization of Muslim youths. Their target remains a section of delusional Muslims with perceived persecution in India and a penchant for living under Islamic Sharia rule.
In 2015 and 2016, a series of AQIS-linked arrests in North India exposed and disrupted these plans. Among the key figures apprehended was Mohammad Asif, reportedly the head of the group in charge of training and recruitment for AQIS in India from Uttar Pradesh. Alongside him, several others linked to AQIS were arrested, including Abdul Rehman Khan, an Islamic cleric from Jagatpur, Cuttack (Odisha), Abdul Sami, a native of Jamshedpur in Jharkhand and Zafar Masood of Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. Masood had provided financial support to AQIS operations, further facilitating its activities in the country. These arrests highlighted a major AQIS network spanning states like Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, underlining its intent to build a decentralized and resource-backed jihadist presence in India. This intelligence operation marked a significant blow to AQIS's ambitions in India, showcasing the effectiveness of Indian counterterrorism efforts in identifying and dismantling nascent extremist cells. In 2023, a Delhi Court convicted four for conspiracy to commit terror acts across the country and recruiting members for Al Qaeda.[1]
In 2022-2023, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested 11 individuals linked to sleeper cells of AQIS and Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). Among them, Mufkikar Hamidullah (a.k.a. Sajid Ali Miyan), a Bangladeshi national, was remanded for interrogation. Mufkikar had been arrested by the NIA in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, and later detained in Dum Dum jail, West Bengal, for multiple cases against him. Mufkikar's name surfaced while interrogating other suspects, leading to a production warrant for his transfer to Lucknow. He was allegedly involved in radicalizing and brainwashing youth in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, to wage war against India. ATS officials believe he played a significant role in the AQIS-JMB network in the region and plan to further investigate him regarding other operatives and activities in the state.
Again in 2022, in a statewide crackdown on Bangladesh-origin terrorist groups, Police in Assam arrested four individuals with ties to the Bangladeshi terrorist organization Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) and AQIS from Nalbari and Tamulpur districts. They were identified as Md. Habel Ali and Abu Raihan , Sadeq Ali and Jakibul Ali. These AQIS operatives have confessed during interrogation to their role in radicalizing and indoctrinating individuals in Assam.
In May 2023, the arrests of Ikramul Haque (Abu Talha), the chief recruiter in India for AQIS in Bangladesh, opened up terror conspiracies against India. The NIA coordinated with Bangladeshi counterparts, the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit (CTTC), to apprehend this high-value AQIS recruiter in Dhaka, reflecting the importance of regional collaboration in counterterrorism.
These events showcase AQIS's attempts to create a sustainable network in India and the recurring dismantling of their operations by Indian authorities. Indian intelligence and law enforcement agencies, led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), have played a critical role in uncovering and neutralizing AQIS modules across the country. The NIA, in collaboration with the Delhi Police Special Cell, Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS) from multiple states, and central intelligence agencies, conducted meticulous operations to dismantle these networks.
Through intelligence-driven operations, proactive arrests, and inter-agency coordination, Indian agencies have successfully disrupted AQIS's ambitions of establishing a sustainable foothold in the region. These efforts highlight the significance of a unified and multi-pronged counterterrorism strategy.
Conclusion: Strengthening India's Counterterrorism Resolve
The above discussions surrounding AQIS's efforts to establish a foothold in India underscore the persistent threat posed by transnational jihadist organizations. While the group's decentralized modules and targeted recruitment strategy reflect an adaptive approach, the swift and coordinated response of Indian security agencies highlights the nation's robust counterterrorism framework. However, the battle against such ideologies cannot be fought solely through arrests and raids. A comprehensive approach that includes community engagement, counter-radicalization programs, and regional cooperation is essential to address the existing socio-political vulnerabilities AQIS and other jihadist entities exploit. By staying vigilant and proactive, India can neutralize these threats and reinforce its resilience against future challenges posed by extremist ideologies.
[This article has been cross-posted and can be read on Animesh Roul’s X (Formerly Twitter) page.]
Notes
[1] Information about these convicted AQIS members and details of investigations Read, Delhi High Court: Mohd Abdul Rehman vs State Nct Of Delhi, December 23, 2024.
2-For a detailed report on AQIS, Read Animesh Roul, "AL QAEDA IN THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT: Spearheading Jihad in South Asia-2014-2020", COUNTER TERRORISM PERSPECTIVES, No, 2, July 30, 2020.