MP News: Youth With Alleged ISIS-Links Arrested From Bhopal In Joint Operation By Delhi Police Special Cell & MP ATS

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A youth from Bhopal’s Karond area was arrested on Friday by the Delhi Police Special Cell, with support from the Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), for his alleged involvement in an ISIS-inspired terror module.

Another suspect, also named Adnan Khan, was arrested from New Delhi. Officials said both were planning attacks at crowded places in the national capital during festive season.

The 20-year-old Bhopal resident, from a middle-class family, was preparing for chartered accountancy exams. He had earlier been detained by Uttar Pradesh ATS in 2024 for posting an online threat against a judge associated with the Gyanvapi mosque case in Varanasi. The judge had ordered an archaeological survey of the mosque complex in 2022.

After being released on bail, the accused reportedly resumed terror-linked activities, focusing on online recruitment and propaganda. Investigators found that the group had begun gathering materials to assemble improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Online radicalisation, coordination

According to police, Adnan from Bhopal became radicalised after completing Class 12, following extremist content on social media. Under instructions from foreign handlers, he curated jihadi videos, while his Delhi associate edited and captioned them for circulation. Together, they operated several Instagram and YouTube pages used for “Dawat” — online sessions to attract and indoctrinate followers.

He allegedly came in contact with a Syria-based handler, Abu Ibrahim al-Qureshi, who directed them to produce short extremist videos aimed at radicalising Indian youth. Once their propaganda network was active, the duo moved to planning physical attacks and began sourcing components for IEDs to target busy areas in Delhi.

Earlier arrests in MP link

Earlier this year, the Delhi Police Special Cell had arrested 26-year-old Kamran Qureshi from Biaora town in Rajgarh district, adjoining Bhopal, in connection with an ISIS-inspired module. Qureshi, who worked as a typist and computer operator, was also suspected of helping with online logistics for the same network.

(Inputs by Staff reporter)