Archive · 12 Nov 2025
ATS Questions Mumbra Teacher in Al-Qaeda Probe Linked to Software Engineer
Indian police arrested a computer programmer named Zubair Hangargekar because they think he is connected to a terrorist group called Al-Qaeda.
During their investigation, they found that Hangargekar had visited the home of a teacher named Ibrahim Abidi in Mumbra.
So, the police went to the teacher's house to search it and ask him questions about his meetings with Hangargekar.
The police did not find anything important at the teacher's house, and they let him go after questioning.
However, the teacher's wife said that the police harassed them and that they have no connection to any extremist groups.
They even filed a complaint about the police.
Meanwhile, when the police searched Hangargekar's own home in Pune, they found phones with files about Al-Qaeda, a speech by Osama bin Laden, and a magazine that explained how to make bombs.
The police are continuing to investigate Hangargekar's digital communications and contacts to find more links to Al-Qaeda.
Maharashtra ATS questioned Mumbra-based Urdu teacher Ibrahim Abidi and searched his Thane residence in connection with the arrest of software engineer Zubair Hangargekar.
Zubair Hangargekar was arrested on October 27 for alleged links with Al-Qaeda and involvement in radicalisation activities.
Hangargekar, accused in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act case, had visited Abidi's home, prompting the ATS investigation.
Abidi was questioned and allowed to leave, with the ATS stating he is not currently named as an accused or witness.
Searches at Hangargekar's Pune residence yielded Al-Qaeda related files, an Osama bin Laden speech translation, and a bomb-making magazine.
- Who
- Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), software engineer Zubair Hangargekar, and Mumbra-based Urdu teacher Ibrahim Abidi.
- What
- The ATS questioned and searched the residence of teacher Ibrahim Abidi in connection with the arrest of software engineer Zubair Hangargekar for alleged Al-Qaeda links. Hangargekar was arrested for alleged terror links and radicalisation activities.
- When
- Hangargekar was arrested on October 27. The ATS searched Abidi's residence and questioned him on Tuesday (article date is Wednesday).
- Where
- Thane (Mumbra) and Pune (Kondhwa).
- Why
- Hangargekar, accused of Al-Qaeda links, was found to have visited Abidi's home, prompting the ATS to investigate potential connections and gather information on his activities and contacts.
Investigators' Claims (Maharashtra ATS)
Accused's Family's Allegations
Reason for Teacher's Involvement
Investigators' Claims (Maharashtra ATS)
Software engineer Zubair Hangargekar, arrested for alleged Al-Qaeda links, was found to have visited the Mumbra-based teacher Ibrahim Abidi's home, necessitating questioning and a search.
Accused's Family's Allegations
The teacher's wife claims they have no links to any group and alleges harassment by the ATS since the search and questioning, leading her to file a complaint.
Teacher's Status
Investigators' Claims (Maharashtra ATS)
Teacher Ibrahim Abidi was questioned and allowed to leave; he has not been named as an accused or a witness.
Accused's Family's Allegations
Despite being cleared, the family feels harassed due to the ATS actions.
- Arrested Individual
- Zubair Hangargekar (37), a software engineer
- Date of Arrest
- October 27
- Allegations Against Hangargekar
- Links with Al-Qaeda and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), suspected involvement in radicalisation activities, delivering aggressive religious discourses.
- Teacher Questioned
- Ibrahim Abidi, an Urdu teacher from Mumbra, Thane
- Reason for Teacher's Home Search
- Hangargekar was found to have visited Abidi's residence for a meeting.
- Recovered Items (from Hangargekar's Pune residence)
- Mobile phones with deleted PDF files on AQIS, Urdu translation of Osama bin Laden speech, 'Inspire' magazine detailing AK-47 training, documents on IED making.
- International Phone Contacts (on Hangargekar's old phone)
- One Pakistani number; no recent calls made to this contact.
- Legal Action
- Case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
Sources
Pune Techie Al-Qaeda Case: Secret Meeting in Thane, Phone Numbers Linked to Pakistan, Middle East
ATS arrests Pune techie for Qaeda links, questions preacher
Techie held for ‘terror’ links: ATS conducts searches in Thane and Pune
Pune techie ‘Al-Qaeda link’ case: ATS questions Thane teacher, lets him go after search at his house yields nothing
