On the day in question, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) successfully apprehended Faizan Bakhteyar, a 24-year-old individual who played a pivotal role in establishing the ISIS module in Aligarh. This arrest was a significant development, especially considering that Faizan carried a reward of Rs 25,000 on his head. After detailed questioning, Faizan disclosed that he, in collaboration with his associates, laid the foundation for the Aligarh ISIS module. This initiative took shape after they pledged their allegiance to the group under the mentorship of Rizwan Ashraf from Prayagraj.
The Aligarh module, overseen by Faizan Bakhteyar, reportedly had a far-reaching network extending across various districts within Uttar Pradesh. Authorities uncovered that the individuals associated with this module were allegedly devising plans to carry out terrorist attacks.
Following the successful dismantling of the module, Faizan chose to go into hiding, evading law enforcement. Originally from Prayagraj, Faizan was pursuing a Master's in Social Work (MSW) at Aligarh Muslim University, making his association with terrorism all the more concerning.
It is noteworthy that the UP ATS had previously made eight arrests in connection with the same case, signifying the scope and complexity of the investigation. The charges against those involved include Sections 121A and 122 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to conspiracies to wage war against the Indian government. Additionally, charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Arms Act have been levied against them. The ATS team initiated this legal action by filing the case in November 2023, underscoring the serious nature of the allegations and the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism within the region.
