NIA probe claims Padgha residents tied to Pune ISIS module

NIA said it found videos of training sessions on making IEDs from accused Aakif Nachan’s phone. File pic

The charge sheet of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the investigation against seven people alleged to be part of an ISIS module in Pune has claimed the involvement of residents of Padgha village in Thane district in supporting the module. According to the NIA charge sheet, Shamil Nachan, son of SIMI's former member Saquib Nachan, and his close associate Aakif Nachan, both from Padgha, were assisting the Pune ISIS module after being approached by one of the main accused, Zulfikar Ali.

The charge sheet claims that Shamil and Aakif, arrested in connection with the ISIS module, procured multiple SIM cards registered in the names of friends, distant relatives, and employees. These SIM cards were allegedly used to coordinate with alleged ISIS members in Kondhwa. The duo attended meetings in Kondhwa near Pune and in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, strategically using the SIM cards to avoid direct traces by law enforcement agencies.

Shamil Nachan, son of SIMI's former member Saquib Nachan, was allegedly assisting Pune ISIS module

Following the blasts in Mulund and Mumbai Central in 2002-2003, Padgha village came under scrutiny and Saquib was arrested. He spent a decade in jail after his conviction. Since then, security agencies have closely monitored the village due to concerns over Saquib's influence. Shamil and Aakif's arrests have once again brought the village into focus. The charges against Shamil and Aakif include providing support to and funding terror activities, and being involved in preparatory activities to make explosives.

Witness's inputs

According to the NIA, the accused were using code words to talk about the chemicals needed to make IEDs. The charge sheet details that ‘sharbat' was code for hydrogen peroxide. A crucial witness, whose identity is being protected, told the NIA that during Ramzan in 2022, Aakif requested him to drive him to Pune where Aakif had some work. Aakif arranged a Maruti Ritz car and they went to Pune and then to Kondhwa. "Aakif had brought along two glass bottles. Out of curiosity, I asked Aakif about the glass bottles. He said they contain sharbat and smiled circuitously. After some time, Aakif said that the bottles contained important chemicals to be handed over to the guests at Kondhwa," the witness told the NIA.

Following the blasts in Mulund and Mumbai Central in 2002-2003, Padgha village came under scrutiny and Saquib Nachan was arrested. Pic/X

The witness was also asked to switch off his mobile and not discuss the trip with anyone. The witness further said that after reaching Kondhwa, Aakif met Zulfikar Ali who had been waiting for him. Zulfikar Ali took them to a residential area, where one more person was waiting for them. Aakif gave the bottles that he brought from Padgha to this person. Apart from this, Aakif paid Rs 20,000 to someone named Yunus in Padgha.

Training to make explosives

During the IED fabrication training at Ratlam, Aakif allegedly made a video of the training, which was recovered from his mobile by NIA Jaipur. Aakif allegedly learnt how to make explosives using chemicals and how to make a detonator using small bulbs. After the training, Aakif bought two glass bottles containing sulphuric acid, from Ratlam. Sulphuric acid can be used in explosive making, the NIA said in the charge sheet.

According to the NIA, the accused were using code words to talk about the chemicals needed to make IEDs. File pic

The agency has further claimed that it found handwritten notes that have details about making IEDs with chemicals. Handwriting experts roped in to analyse the notes determined that they match with the specimens of Shamil's handwriting and of another accused, Kadeer Pathan. According to the NIA, Aakif assists his brother in a construction business and Shamil has a timber business.