In a significant counter-terror operation, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested two individuals linked to an alleged Ghazwa-e-Hind conspiracy in India. The accused Ajmal Ali from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, and Dr. Usama Maaz Shaikh from Thane, Maharashtra were reportedly active members of a radical WhatsApp group titled Reviving Islam.
This operation uncovers a deeper network of online radicalisation allegedly aimed at destabilising India through ideological indoctrination and terror propaganda.
What is the ‘Reviving Islam’ WhatsApp Group?
According to ATS officials, Reviving Islam is a WhatsApp group with over 400 members, including at least three administrators and a significant number of participants from Pakistan. The group’s primary aim, investigators claim, was to propagate radical Islamic ideologies and plot the implementation of Sharia law in India through Ghazwa-e-Hind an apocalyptic ideology based on a distorted interpretation of Islamic texts that fantasises a final battle against India.
The Ghazwa-e-Hind conspiracy is not new to Indian intelligence agencies. However, the arrest of educated and geographically distant individuals from UP and Maharashtra has raised fresh concerns about the spread of extremist ideology via encrypted digital platforms.
Details of the Arrests
Ajmal Ali, a resident of Amroha, was under surveillance after intelligence inputs suggested his participation in online radical forums. His digital footprint revealed active engagement in discussions that glorified Ghazwa-e-Hind and undermined India’s constitutional framework.
Dr. Usama Maaz Shaikh, based in Thane, is a medical professional. His arrest shocked local authorities due to his respectable social profile. He allegedly played a more technical role in the group’s functioning and content dissemination.
The ATS has invoked sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Information Technology Act against the duo. Their devices and communication logs are currently under forensic examination.
Ghazwa-e-Hind: A Dangerous Doctrine
The Ghazwa-e-Hind plot has been used as a recruitment and radicalisation tool by terrorist organisations like Al-Qaeda and ISIS. Intelligence sources confirm that such ideology is promoted heavily through encrypted platforms, bypassing mainstream monitoring mechanisms.
What makes this group particularly dangerous is its international composition and the targeting of young minds across borders. The group reportedly encouraged members to reject democratic principles and instead pledge allegiance to a pan Islamic caliphate governed by Sharia law.
Why These Arrests Matter
The arrests serve as a reminder of the evolving nature of terror threats, especially in the digital era. Traditional networks are being replaced by ideological terror hubs on social media and messaging apps, making counter terror operations more complex.
This case shows how radical ideology is no longer limited to conflict zones or poverty stricken regions it can infiltrate educated circles, digital platforms, and urban centres.
What’s Next?
ATS teams are now working with central intelligence agencies to identify other members of the group, especially the three admins who are believed to be operating from outside India. The role of Pakistani handlers is also under the scanner.
Security experts are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious online activities. The Ghazwa-e-Hind conspiracy poses not just a national security threat, but also a challenge to India’s pluralistic and democratic ethos.
The arrests of Ajmal Ali and Dr. Usama Maaz Shaikh highlight the urgent need to tackle online radicalisation. As platforms like WhatsApp become new battlegrounds for ideological wars, India’s security apparatus must evolve to counter the growing threat of Ghazwa-e-Hind conspiracies.
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