Ghazwa-e-Hind, War against India… Kill Hindus, Make Caliphate…. What was the plan of the two youths arrested in Gujarat? ATS reveals. In Bengaluru, NIA Exposes Prison Radicalisation Network.

Upananda Brahmachari | HENB | New Delhi | April 22, 2026:: In a significant counter-terror operation, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested two Muslim young men for allegedly engaging in anti-national activities, including plotting attacks, arranging weapons and funds, and promoting extremist ideology aimed at destabilising India. The arrests come amid broader concerns flagged by national agencies over evolving patterns of radicalisation—both online and within prison systems.

Alleged ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ Radicalisation and Online Network

According to investigators, the two accused—identified as Irfan Khan Pathan (22) from Siddhpur in Gujarat’s Patan district and Murshid Zahid Akhtar Shaikh (21), originally from Bihar—had been active on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram for several months.

The probe, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Virjeet Singh Parmar, suggests that the duo were part of a closed group of around 12–13 individuals where discussions allegedly centred on extremist narratives, including the concept of “Ghazwa-e-Hind.” Authorities claim the group drew ideological inspiration from global terror outfits such as Islamic State, particularly its networks and propaganda linked to regions like Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Police officials stated that the accused appear to have been “self-radicalised,” meaning they were not directly controlled by any handler but were influenced through sustained exposure to extremist content online.

Investigators and security experts note that the term “Ghazwa-e-Hind,” often translated by extremist elements as a “war on India,” is used in certain radical narratives to project a future campaign targeting the Indian subcontinent. In such interpretations, it is linked with calls for violent Jihadi mobilisation, including targeted killings of Hindu Kaffirs and broader conflict framed around the establishment of a Caliphate under strict Sharia rule. Some Islamic extremist propaganda also attempts to connect these ideas with apocalyptic beliefs involving the arrival of Imam Mahdi, portraying it as part of a larger end-times conflict.

However, scholars emphasise that such interpretations are highly contested and not part of mainstream Islamic theology. Authorities stress that these narratives are selectively used by extremist groups using some Hadith references to radicalise individuals and justify violence, posing a direct security concern for India.

Arrests and Legal Action

Acting on intelligence inputs, ATS teams, with assistance from local police, apprehended Irfan from Siddhpur and Murshid from Mumbai, where he worked at a food outlet with his brother. Officials confirmed that neither had any prior criminal record.

A case has been registered against both under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, and further investigation is underway to trace additional links and digital evidence.

Parallel Case: NIA Exposes Prison Radicalisation Network in Bengaluru

In a separate but related development highlighting evolving security challenges, a special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sentenced seven individuals, including an alleged operative of Lashkar-e-Taiba, to seven years in prison for involvement in a radicalisation and terror conspiracy case.

The main accused, T Naseer, along with six others, was found guilty in a case that revealed how extremist recruitment and planning were being carried out from inside Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.

Inside-Prison Conspiracy

Investigators found that the group had been systematically identifying vulnerable inmates, influencing them ideologically, and attempting to build a network aimed at carrying out terror-related activities beyond prison walls. The case was initially registered in July 2023 after Bengaluru police recovered arms, ammunition, and digital devices from suspects allegedly planning attacks.

The investigation later expanded and was transferred to the NIA after indications of a larger conspiracy emerged.

Escape Plot and International Link

The probe also uncovered an alleged plan to facilitate Naseer’s escape during transit between prison and court. Naseer, already serving a life sentence in multiple terror cases, was also an accused in the 2008 Bengaluru serial blasts case.

In a notable development, one of the convicts, Salman Khan, was extradited from the Rwanda through coordinated efforts between Indian and Rwandan authorities.

Government Concerns Over Radicalisation

Security agencies have repeatedly raised concerns over the use of prisons as recruitment grounds. The Union Home Ministry had earlier issued advisories urging prison authorities to implement de-radicalisation programmes and segregate inmates susceptible to influencing others.

Officials say the methods observed in the Bengaluru case resemble earlier patterns seen in sensitive regions, underlining the need for tighter monitoring and intervention strategies.

A Growing Security Challenge

Taken together, the Gujarat ATS arrests and the NIA’s Bengaluru case underscore a dual-front challenge for Indian security agencies: the rapid spread of online radicalisation and the emergence of covert networks operating within institutional spaces like prisons.

Authorities continue to emphasise vigilance, intelligence coordination, and preventive measures to counter these evolving threats.