The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has detained two additional individuals for questioning regarding the case of a 21-year-old engineering student arrested for suspected ties to extremist groups. The student, Ayan Yusuf Sheikh, is currently in ATS custody until March 9 as investigators delve into his online activities and associations. Sheikh’s alleged radicalization was reportedly influenced by extremist content shared on encrypted Telegram groups.
Authorities revealed that Sheikh participated actively in these encrypted groups for the past several months, engaging in discussions on perceived injustices against Muslims and ways to protect the community. The investigation suggests that some members of these channels may have links to Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based terror group known for online propaganda targeting Muslim communities globally.
The material shared in these Telegram channels included videos on political conflicts in regions like Kashmir, audio recordings referencing historical militant figures, and posts highlighting alleged persecution of Muslim communities worldwide. Officials described this exposure as part of a “hate crime brainwashing model,” where emotional appeals based on religious identity are used to attract individuals and potentially incite extremist actions offline.
During interrogation, Sheikh admitted to sharing content from these groups with friends through private chats, initially out of curiosity. However, repeated exposure led him to actively engage with like-minded individuals, ultimately connecting him to what authorities describe as an extremist online network. The investigation continues to explore the extent of Sheikh’s involvement and connections within these encrypted forums.
