Investigating agencies confirmed Danish Ashhar, arrested September 10, was plotting a massive terror strike in Ranchi.
The joint operation by Delhi Police’s Special Cell and Jharkhand ATS successfully nabbed Ashhar following six months of detailed surveillance.
Officials revealed Ashhar’s code name ‘CEO’ within ISIS, and his nickname ‘Ghazwa Leader’ maintained direct contact with Pakistan-based handlers.
His mission focused on spreading the idea of ‘Caliphate in India’ while recruiting youths from multiple states.
Investigators disclosed that Ashhar assigned specific tasks to recruits, building a terror module aimed at executing and coordinating large-scale attacks.
During raids across Ranchi, Delhi, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Telangana and Karnataka, authorities apprehended five other suspects linked with Ashhar.
From Ashhar’s Tabarak Lodge room, investigators seized dangerous materials including acids, sulphur powder, copper sheets, ball bearings and electronic equipment.
Officials said the recovered items, such as pH scale and laboratory beakers, indicated active preparation of IEDs.
Ashhar, originally from Petarwar in Bokaro district, had checked into the lodge using his Aadhaar identification card.
Documents listed his father as Majrul Hasan, while locals remembered him living quietly, avoiding community interactions or conversations.
Interestingly, his roommate, a student, remained unaware of Ashhar’s ISIS connections.
Authorities emphasised that ISIS instructs members never to reveal their identity, even to family, ensuring complete secrecy around ongoing operations.
This is not the first instance of an ISIS-linked network being unearthed in Ranchi.
Earlier, suspected operatives, including a Radiologist, Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed, were arrested from the city’s Chanho area.
Investigators at that time suggested that ISIS had planned to establish a training base in Jharkhand.
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