Nashik engineer detained by ATS for ‘ISIS connections’

NASHIK: A 32-year-old engineer was detained by the State Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Nashik on suspicion of having ties to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a group that the Union government has outlawed.

Hussaif Abdul Aziz Shaikh, the suspect, is an independent businessman who was taken into custody from his home in the city’s Tidke Colony. A Nashik court ordered his prison detention till January 31 after he was presented.
“Our research showed that the individual had recently shown symptoms of radicalization.
By sending money to ISIS, he actively aided the group, according to a statement released by the ATS. “We have seized electronic devices, including mobile phones, SIM cards, laptop and a pen drive along with incriminating documents,” said the statement.
Ajai Misar, the public prosecutor, said in court that “the ATS’s initial investigation revealed Shaikh was funding ISIS since 2019.”
Misar argued that Shaikh had communication with a Syrian lady who is an active member of the organization, citing investigative reports. “He used to either transfer money to the organisation through her or used to route the funds through other channels,” according to the prosecution.
Misar went on to say that Shaikh had been to Sri Lanka, Riyad, Dubai, and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. The prosecution requested Shaikh be placed under jail detention so that the ATS could investigate the plot he had hatched with the terrorist group.