Archive · 17 Sep 2026
UP ATS Arrests Teen in Coimbatore AQIS Terror Probe
The Uttar Pradesh ATS arrested a 19-year-old man named Maqsood Ali in Coimbatore.
The Tamil Nadu ATS helped with the arrest.
Police say he was connected to an alleged group linked to Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent.
They allege that he used online groups to influence and recruit young people.
Investigators also say he communicated with people in Pakistan.
They allege that he worked on hacking tools and created an app called Captain M Network.
Police say some groups connected to him shared AQIS material and bomb-making videos.
Ali was taken to Lucknow and presented before a court while the investigation continues.
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested 19-year-old Maqsood Ali in Coimbatore with assistance from the Tamil Nadu ATS.
Ali was brought to Lucknow on transit remand and produced before a competent court.
The ATS alleges that Ali helped create social-media groups to recruit and radicalize young people for violent activities.
Investigators allege that Ali communicated with Pakistani handlers and worked on hacking tools using coding skills learned online.
The case follows the September 12 arrest of Mohammad Nabeel and involves alleged AQIS material and bomb-making videos shared in online groups.
- Who
- The Uttar Pradesh ATS arrested 19-year-old Maqsood Ali; the case also involves Mohammad Nabeel, who was arrested earlier.
- What
- Ali was arrested over alleged involvement in an AQIS-linked conspiracy involving online recruitment, extremist material, hacking activities and planned violence.
- When
- Ali was arrested on Monday before the report was published on September 16; Nabeel was arrested on September 12.
- Where
- Ali was arrested in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and taken to Lucknow; he is from Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- According to the ATS, the investigation concerns alleged efforts to recruit and train young people, spread extremist ideology, communicate with Pakistani handlers and plan violent activities.
- Arrested suspect
- Maqsood Ali, 19
- Arrest location
- Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
- Investigating agencies
- Uttar Pradesh ATS, with assistance from the Tamil Nadu ATS
- Legal status
- Ali was brought to Lucknow on transit remand and produced before a competent court
- Earlier arrest
- Mohammad Nabeel was arrested in Azamgarh on September 12
- Online application
- Captain M Network, which the ATS says connected Ali, Nabeel and others
- Alleged online material
- AQIS literature, bomb-making videos and jihadist or extremist content
- Reported charges
- Sections 152 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 18 and 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
