Two ISIS fugitives, Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh, also known as Diaperwala, and Talha Khan, were arrested at Mumbai Airport. They were intercepted by immigration officials at Terminal 2 late Friday night.
Both were returning from Jakarta, Indonesia, where they had been hiding.
On the run for two years
The duo had been absconding for over two years. Non-bailable warrants were issued against them by the NIA Special Court in Mumbai. A cash reward of ₹3 lakh each was announced for information leading to their arrest.
NIA had been tracking their movements across borders. Based on a tip-off, the Bureau of Immigration flagged their arrival. NIA officers moved in quickly.
Tied to Pune IED plot
These men were part of an ISIS sleeper module. They had reportedly organised a bomb-making workshop in Pune’s Kondhwa area during 2022–2023.
They are accused of planting an IED near a hospital in Pune in July 2023. The device was defused before it could cause damage. Several arrests followed then, but these two remained at large.
Terror module spread across states
The ISIS module had roots in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Members were radicalised online and trained in covert operations. NIA believes the module planned multiple attacks across India.
With these two back in custody, investigators hope to learn more about their handlers, funding sources, and larger plans.
Digital trail under scanner
The suspects’ devices have been seized. NIA is scanning chats, emails, and financial records. More arrests are likely as the probe deepens.
This case marks another hit in India’s wider crackdown on radical Islamist networks.
