Al Qaeda Female Operative Busted in Bengaluru: Gujarat ATS Exposes Shocking Terror Network
Gujarat(The Uttam Hindu): In a major counter-terror operation, Gujarat’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a woman allegedly involved in radicalizing youth through online platforms. The accused, identified as 30-year-old Shama Parveen, was taken into custody from Bengaluru, where she had been residing for several years. Originally from Jharkhand, Parveen is believed to be an active member of Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS).
Authorities claim she was in direct contact with terrorists based in Pakistan and had been operating a covert online network designed to spread extremist ideology. Gujarat’s Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi, confirmed the arrest and stated that this operation marks a significant step in disrupting digital terror recruitment across India.
Investigators revealed that Parveen was using social media platforms to target young individuals, subtly drawing them towards fundamentalist beliefs. Her online activity had been under surveillance for months before the arrest. Officials added that she managed multiple fake accounts used to circulate inflammatory videos and content advocating violent jihad.
This arrest follows the earlier detention of four other individuals linked to the same network. Those arrested earlier included suspects from Delhi, Ahmedabad, Modasa, and Noida. All were reportedly leading ordinary lives while being involved in ideological extremism behind the scenes.
According to ATS sources, the module’s focus was not on immediate violence but on indoctrinating youth against democratic institutions and encouraging the idea of replacing them with religious rule. Their posts often promoted the notion that even basic weapons like knives were enough for carrying out jihad, thereby glorifying violence.
Following the arrest, Shama Parveen is being interrogated to trace the extent of the network and identify any remaining operatives or future plans. Security agencies believe this online module was a long-term threat designed to plant seeds of extremism discreetly within Indian society. Further investigations are underway, and officials have not ruled out more arrests in the coming weeks as they dig deeper into the digital footprint of this disturbing terror module.