NIA Arrests 11th Accused in ISIS Pune Sleeper Cell Case, Rs 3 Lakh Rewarded Fugitive Held
New Delhi/Pune, 11th July 2025: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested another key conspirator wanted in the ISIS Pune sleeper module case.
Rizwan Ali @Abu Salma @ Mola is the 11th accused to be arrested in the case RC-05/2023/NIA/MUM and had carried a reward of Rs. 3 lakh for information leading to his capture. The NIA Special Court had also issued a standing Non Bailable Warrant (NBW) against Rizwan, who was actively involved in promoting the terror activities of the designated foreign terror outfit, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
As part of the anti-India conspiracy of the ISIS, which is also known by various other names, Rizwan had played an active role in the reconnaissance and recce of various locations for use as terrorist hideouts. He was also involved in conducting firing classes and training in the fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), as per NIA investigations in the case.
Along with the 10 other accused already arrested and in judicial custody, Rizwan had conspired to commit a series of terror acts to destabilise the country and spread communal disharmony.
Besides Rizwan Ali, the other arrested sleeper cell members are identified as Mohammed Imran Khan, Mohammed Yunus Saki, Abdul Kadir Pathan, Simab Nasiruddin Kazi, Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, Shamil Nachan, Akif Nachan, Shahnawaz Alam, Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh and Talha Khan. All the accused have been chargesheeted by NIA under various sections of UA (P) Act, Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act and IPC.
NIA is continuing with its investigation in the case as part of its efforts to scuttle the ISIS/IS conspiracy to establish Islamic rule in the country through violence and terror, by waging a war against the Government of India.
