Interpol Issues Red Corner Notice Against Mohammad Shoaib Khan in Maharashtra ISIS Case | File Photo
Mumbai: Interpol has issued a Red Corner Notice for Mohammad Shoaib Khan, a fugitive terror accused linked to the ISIS Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), terror module. According to NIA official Sources Khan is currently hiding in Libya.
The Red Corner Notice, issued by Interpol, charges Khan with multiple offenses, including criminal conspiracy, terrorist acts, attempting to commit or advocating terrorist activities, recruiting individuals for terrorist purposes, and supporting a terrorist organization. The charges stem from the ongoing investigation into the ISIS-related conspiracy in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar region.
The NIA had filed its chargesheet in July 2024, outlining the role of Khan and his brother, Mohammad Zoheb, who had been involved in radicalizing youth and plotting terrorist attacks in India. Zoheb, a highly educated web designer, was arrested by the NIA in February 2024 after raids at several locations in Maharashtra. Despite posing as a web designer, Zoheb had been in regular contact with his brother, Shoaib, who is already joined ISIS in Libya years ago. The investigation reveals that family members describe Shoaib as a Muslim scholar and university professor in Libya, emphasizing that he has not returned to India for several years and is not associated with any terrorist group. The investigation has confirmed Shoaib’s affiliation with ISIS in Libya and his status as a wanted individual by several central agencies.
Sohaib khan, a most-wanted terrorist in India, left the country several years ago to join ISIS in Libya but maintained contact with his brother Zoheb. During the investigation, it was revealed that Mohammad Shoaib Khan, along with his brother was involved in plotting to promote anti-India agendas with ISIS.The duo had planned to recruit youth across India to carry out terrorist attacks on sensitive installations. After pledging allegiance to ISIS’s self-proclaimed caliph, both accused were found to have been actively involved in planning several terror attacks in India. They had also plotted to flee to Afghanistan or Turkey after executing their attacks.
During the investigation Zoheb revealed that Shoaib had shared a link via the Telegram app that led him to ISIS handler Abu Ahmad. Zoheb pledged allegiance to ISIS, taking the ‘bayah’ (oath of allegiance). According to sources, during the investigation, it’s revealed that on the instruction of Shoaib Khan, Zoheb created a WhatsApp group where he added over 50 youths from Aurangabad and several other parts of India. The aim was to radicalize and recruit them to further ISIS’s nefarious activities in India. The both accused were found sharing videos related to explosives and IED (Improvised Explosive Device) making, and had drafted a detailed plan for executing terror attacks across the country. The investigation also found that after each conversation, Zoheb would delete call logs, as well as audio, video, and text and social media messages.
Zoheb remains in judicial custody. Following the revelation of Shoaib’s deeper involvement in the network, the central intelligence agency has compiled a detailed dossier on his activities. This dossier, which includes Shoaib’s connections to the Khurasan module and his role in plotting terrorist attacks within India, has been shared with Interpol.
