ISIS-linked terrorist Ashhar Danish arrested in Ranchi, explosives and weapons recovered; Delhi Police & Jharkhand ATS joint operation

Ranchi (The Uttam Hindu): In a major counter-terrorism breakthrough, the Delhi Police Special Cell and Jharkhand ATS arrested Ashhar Danish, an ISIS-linked suspected terrorist, from the Lower Bazaar area of Ranchi on Wednesday. Danish had made Tabarak Lodge in Islamnagar his hideout. Security forces recovered weapons, chemicals used in making explosives, and multiple electronic devices from his possession.

The agencies also conducted raids in Jharkhand’s Palamu district, detaining another suspect for questioning.

Danish, originally a resident of Petarwar in Bokaro district (Jharkhand), had been under Delhi Police’s radar for a long time. He was wanted in connection with a case registered in Delhi and was being tracked closely. Acting on credible intelligence inputs, the joint operation was launched, leading to his arrest. Danish will now be taken to Delhi on remand for further interrogation.

Sources revealed that during the raid at Tabarak Lodge, police seized chemicals for making explosives, laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic gadgets. Technical analysis of these devices will be carried out to trace his terror network. Investigating agencies believe Danish was preparing for a major terror conspiracy.

This is not the first time Jharkhand has been used as a terror safe haven. Last year, Delhi Police and Jharkhand ATS had carried out raids at 16 locations in Ranchi, Hazaribagh, and Lohardaga, arresting nine suspects, including Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad, a radiologist at Ranchi’s Medica Hospital.

The fresh arrest indicates that terror organizations are attempting to use Jharkhand as a base of operations. Agencies are now conducting forensic analysis of the seized materials and questioning Danish to uncover the full extent of his network.