Terror accused Saquib Nachan dies in custody, who was he and what was his ISIS connection?

New Delhi: ISIS-linked convicted terrorist Saquib Nachan died in Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday during treatment. He was admitted to the hospital due to a declining health condition. Nachan was incarcerated in Tihar Jail in December 2023. He was first referred to Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital on June 22 and later brought to Safdarjung Hospital on June 25. Saquib Nachan’s body will be released to his family after the post-mortem.

Who was Saquib Nanchan?

Saquib Nanchan was one of the accused of 2002 and 2003 Mumbai bomb blasts case and was facing conviction. In 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) apprehended Nachan, citing his alleged participation in promoting ISIS activities. ISIS is designated a foreign terrorist organization. He held the position of self-proclaimed Amir-e-Hind for ISIS in India.

What NIA said?

As per NIA, Nachan was involved in the creation, instruction and assessment of IEDs. These IEDs were intended for terrorist operations. NIA stated that he joined hands with other accused forming a group known as Pune ISIS module case. Nanchan was jailed for 10 years, following his conviction in 2016.

NIA reports stated that Saquib Nachan was the primary accused in the case. He was also self-proclaimed leader who administered the ‘Bayath’ oath of allegiance to ISIS’s self-styled ‘Khalifa’ for new members.

NIA alleged that he declared a village as an autonomous base for purported anti-national activities. In June 2024, NIA arrested him and 16 other individuals who were linked to the terrorist organisation.

The charges levelled against him was alleged conspiracy to recruit youth, making explosives and spread ISIS ideology in India.

Nanchan was also associated with making IED in connection with the Delhi-Padgha ISIS terror module case.

Maharashtra ATS Conducted Searches

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) conducted searches at more than 20 locations in Borivali and Padgha in June and detained several suspects. These suspects included Nachan’s relatives, who were later released after thorough questioning.

Following the April 22nd Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, authorities conducted searches to identify individuals supporting terrorist activities. Increased police presence is evident in Padgha and Bhiwandi in anticipation of a funeral, with officials monitoring the situation closely.

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