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UP Anti-Terrorist Squad Arrests Coimbatore Youth in Alleged AQIS-Linked Online Activities

SimpliCity News Team · 17 Sept 2026

Coimbatore:. The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 19-year-old man from Coimbatore in connection with an alleged online module inspired by the ideology of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), officials said on Wednesday.

The accused, identified as Maqsood Ali, a native of Uttar Pradesh’s Siddharthnagar district, was arrested on September 14 with the assistance of the Tamil Nadu ATS. He was subsequently brought to Lucknow on transit remand and produced before a competent court.

His arrest followed the questioning of Mohammad Nabeel, an Azamgarh resident who was arrested by the UP ATS on September 12 in the same case, the agency said. Nabeel’s interrogation allegedly led investigators to Maqsood, whom the ATS described as an alleged associate in the network.

According to the UP ATS, it had received intelligence inputs about individuals allegedly using social media platforms and WhatsApp groups to form an online network and promote the ideology of Al-Qaeda-linked preacher Anwar al-Awlaki. The agency has alleged that the group was attempting to radicalise and recruit young people and train them for violent activities.

The ATS has registered a case under Sections 152 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Sections 18 and 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.

Investigators have alleged that Maqsood was in contact with Pakistani hackers and had been attempting to develop hacking tools. The agency said he had learnt Python, Java, coding and hacking through online resources.

The ATS further alleged that Maqsood had developed a secure communication application called “CAPTAIN M NETWORK”, through which he, Nabeel and other members of the alleged network were connected. The application reportedly carried the motto, “One Platform, One Motive — Unity, Plan and Action.”

According to the agency, Maqsood was operating two WhatsApp accounts and was associated with several groups. Some of these groups allegedly included Pakistani telephone numbers, while discussions on secure messaging applications and extremist material were also reported.

The ATS has also alleged that Maqsood was part of a WhatsApp group created by Nabeel in which material related to AQIS and videos purportedly showing bomb-making techniques were circulated.

Officials said the alleged network involved individuals from different parts of India as well as foreign contacts. The agency is investigating the extent of the alleged network, the identities of other persons involved and the nature of Maqsood’s online contacts.

Maqsood was arrested in Coimbatore with the assistance of the Tamil Nadu ATS and later taken to Lucknow on a transit remand. Further legal proceedings and investigation into the case are underway.

Coimbatore Maqsood Ali UP ATS Tamil Nadu ATS AQIS Anti-Terrorism

UP Anti-Terrorist Squad Arrests Coimbatore Youth in Alleged AQIS-Linked Online Activities

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