Pune Tech Engineer Held With Extremist Literature; ATS Uncovers Radicalisation Trail Across Cities

Pune, 17th November 2025: A Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) raid on October 9 has uncovered alarming evidence of radicalisation involving a Pune-based tech engineer with more than 15 years of experience in the IT sector. The suspect, Zubair Hangargikar, had allegedly amassed a large collection of extremist literature, including Al-Qaeda publications, bomb-making manuals, guerrilla warfare guides and books promoting violent jihad. Officials say the discovery has raised serious concerns for security agencies.

According to ATS sources, Hangargikar holds a B.E. degree from a reputed engineering institute in Solapur and completed his schooling at an Urdu-medium high school there. He began his career with a well-known IT firm in Hinjawadi and, since 2012, had been employed with a software company in Kalyani Nagar. Post-Covid, he alternated between working from home and office.

Investigators said that despite his strong technical background, his growing inclination towards extremist ideology was evident. He allegedly enforced rigid religious ideas at home, spread anti-democratic propaganda and urged youth to reject democratic systems. Around 2015, he came into contact with suspected radical elements in Pune and Hyderabad, which reportedly accelerated his radicalisation.

Over the years, he developed a vast digital archive of material sourced from extremist spokespeople in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan. ATS officers found several Al-Qaeda digital magazines on his laptop and phone, containing detailed content on jihad, martyrdom, lone-wolf attacks, guerrilla methods and instructions on making improvised explosive devices. Some literature also openly called for the establishment of a “caliphate” in India through violent jihad.

Investigators noted that he had extensively studied Al-Qaeda doctrines, accounts of the 9/11 attacks and writings that glorify Mujahideen movements. Forensic examination further revealed his familiarity with training manuals related to explosives, guerrilla warfare and operational tactics—information considered highly sensitive from a national security standpoint.

Hangargikar was also active in domestic and international social media groups. He allegedly created multiple online groups to disseminate messages advocating “Ghazwa-e-Hind,” “Shariat Raj” and the “Establishment of a Caliphate.” Discussions in these groups frequently included anti-democratic themes and calls to dismantle national borders.

ATS sources said he had organised secret meetings in Pune, Solapur and Thane, where he reportedly preached that violent jihad was the only path to establishing Sharia in India.

During the October 9 operation, Maharashtra ATS raided locations in Kondhwa, Khadki, Wanawadi and questioned 18 individuals. Forensic analysis of seized devices has since uncovered a substantial cache of extremist digital content, officials added.

The investigation is ongoing, and ATS officers are examining whether others may also have been influenced or connected to the network.