In a major counter-terrorism breakthrough, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested Shama Parveen, a 30-year-old woman from Bengaluru, for allegedly leading an Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS)-linked terror module. Authorities believe she was the key conspirator and handler, orchestrating operations from Karnataka while maintaining contact with recruits across states. Her arrest is part of an expanding investigation into a module with suspected links to handlers outside India.

Earlier, on July 23, four young suspects Mohd Fardeen, Sefullah Kureshi, Zeeshan Ali, and Mohd Faiq were arrested from Gujarat, Delhi, and Noida. All were reportedly assigned high-profile targets across India and communicated via encrypted social media platforms. The arrests signal a growing concern over coordinated terror activity with cross-border ties.

Security agencies believe the group had a detailed plan to carry out attacks at prominent locations, and further arrests or revelations are anticipated. A recent UN Security Council report also highlighted AQIS's attempts to expand its footprint across South Asia, including India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. With the arrest of Shama Parveen, authorities have taken a crucial step toward dismantling this emerging threat. Investigations continue as agencies look deeper into the terror network’s funding, logistics, and international connections.