Acting on credible intelligence inputs, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Thane Rural Police conducted a joint search operation in the Padgha area of Thane district between the night of June 1 and the afternoon of June 2. The operation followed a court-issued search warrant in connection with suspected anti-national activities.
The crackdown comes in the backdrop of the April 22 terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where some local elements reportedly provided shelter to the attackers. Officials believe it is crucial to prevent such radical tendencies from gaining ground elsewhere in the country.
Sources said several individuals from Borivali and Padgha have previously been arrested under various terror modules. Among those under scrutiny is Saqib Abdul Hamid Nachan, a former SIMI activist from Borivali, Padgha, who is alleged to have delivered inflammatory speeches in the area, inciting residents toward anti-national activities. Intelligence inputs indicated that his supporters had become increasingly active, prompting concerns over a possible terror conspiracy.
During the search operation, mobile handsets, swords, knives, suspicious documents related to property, and objectionable literature promoting terrorism and radicalization were seized from multiple locations.
Located just 50 kilometres from Mumbai, Padgha was once a quiet village but has, over the past decade, emerged as a suspected hub for extremist activity. Under the influence of Saqib Nachan and his associates, the area had reportedly earned the nickname "Al Sham", functioning with alarming independence and secrecy.
In 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had conducted a large-scale raid in Padgha, uncovering 44 high-tech drones believed to be intended for terror attacks on Mumbai. The discovery pointed to a highly sophisticated terror network, possibly backed by foreign elements.
Investigators also seized a cache of arms, ammunition, and extremist propaganda materials. One of the more baffling finds during the raid was the presence of Israeli flags, a move seen by agencies as an attempt to instigate religious tension and divert investigative leads.
The ATS has initiated the process of registering criminal cases, and further investigation is underway. Authorities said the operation was part of a proactive approach to safeguarding national security and preventing the spread of extremist ideologies.
