Mumbai: The State Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has exposed an alleged ISIS-linked honey trap operation in India, as revealed in its chargesheet. The investigation led to the arrest of Engineer Huzaif Abdul Aziz Sheikh from Nashik in early 2024 by the ATS.
According to the ATS chargesheet, the key absconding accused in the case is the widow of global terrorist Shafi Armar, alias Yusuf-Al-Hindi,the deceased chief of the ISIS Khorasan module. The chargesheet states that Rabiya, alias Umm Osama (also known as Umm Fatima), a Pakistani national, had been in contact with the arrested accused, Huzaif Sheikh, since 2019 and had radicalized him online.
ATS investigations revealed that Rabiya disclosed to Huzaif Sheikh that she was the widow of Shafi Armar, who was killed in Syria during the Battle of Baghuz in 2019. She reportedly traveled from Karachi, Pakistan, to Syria to join ISIS as a warrior. She and her two children had been relocated to the Al-Hawl camp in Syria, while her family had settled in Oman. Rabiya, alias Umm Osama, shared this information with Huzaif after confirming that he was an ISIS supporter. She also informed him that she would continue the holy war. Additionally, she shared details about her stay in the Al-Hol camp in Syria, the oppression of Muslims, the war zone in Syria, and the Pakistani genocide.
Over time, Rabiya succeeded in radicalizing Huzaif Sheikh and later involved him in terror funding, providing financial assistance to ISIS supporters and the families of those who died in the Syrian war zone. According to the chargesheet, Sheikh transferred 2,100 dirhams (approximately Rs 50,000) via hawala to a UAE-based bank account at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank. ATS investigations indicate that these funds were used for terror activities. Additionally, under Rabiya’s instructions, Sheikh transferred around Rs 23,150 to multiple bank accounts and was involved in various terrorist activities. ATS recorded more than 30 statements in connection with the case.
According to the ATS chargesheet, Sheikh was radicalized after being influenced by Rabiya, who brainwashed him. he started practicing the barelvi muslim who subsequently turned into hardcore salafi muslim, tablighi jamaat and changed mosques three times before ultimately affiliating with an Ahle Hadees mosque in Ambad, Nashik. Investigations also revealed that Sheikh altered his prayer practices, previously visiting dargahs but abruptly stopping in line with his newfound beliefs. The ATS recovered several pieces of objectionable material from his premises, including jihadist literature and digital evidence linked to Maulana Masood Azhar’s content. Additionally, several calls were traced to Pakistan.
According to the ATS investigation, Sheikh was leading operations in India under the instruction of the ISIS terrorist widow.
According to top official sources, over Six years after the death of the chief of the ISIS Khorasan module, intelligence agencies have obtained significant information about the family of this global terrorist. Even other global security agencies, including the United States, which declared Safi Armar, also known as Yusuf Al Hindi, a global terrorist, were unaware that he had married a Pakistani woman. She is currently orchestrating ISIS operations from Syria following his death. This revelation came to light after the arrest of a Sheikh in Nashik, who fell into a honeytrap set by the global terrorist’s widow.
According to the ATS chargesheet, it is important to note that Shafi Armar, also known as Shafi, Chhota Maulla, Chhota Nakuwa, Yusuf-al-Hindi, Ahmed Ali, and Anjaan Bhairis, declared in the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list (“SDN List”) by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) which is Financial Intelligence and enforcement agency of the US Treasury Department, also act against foreign state as well as organisation and individuals like Terrorist Groups deemed to be threat to US national Security.
Investigations reveal that Rabiya, the widow of the global terrorist, is handling ISIS honey trap and funding operations. It is suspected that after Shafi Armar’s death, Huzaif Sheikh came into contact with her in 2019 and was subsequently trapped in the honeytrap. Evidence from chat discussions between the arrested accused, Huzaif Sheikh, and the wanted accused, Umm Osama (also known as Rabiya), revealed that their objective was to establish an Islamic State and a worldwide caliphate, in accordance with Sharia law, through jihad.
