Bengaluru Woman Arrested for Alleged Links to Al-Qaeda Terror Module
In a significant development, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad has arrested a 30-year-old woman in Bengaluru for her alleged involvement with an Al-Qaeda terror module. Identified as Shama Parveen, she is accused of playing a crucial role in coordinating operations from Karnataka. Following her arrest, local authorities have ramped up security measures throughout the city. This incident follows the recent apprehension of four other terrorists linked to the same network. The investigation continues as authorities delve deeper into the connections and activities of these individuals.
| Jul 30, 2025, 12:33 IST
Arrest of a Suspected Terrorist in Bengaluru
The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Gujarat apprehended a 30-year-old woman from Bengaluru on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, for her alleged connections to a terrorist module. Police sources revealed on Wednesday that the ATS has detained a woman believed to be an Al-Qaeda operative in Bengaluru. Following this incident, local authorities have heightened intelligence vigilance across the city.
Details of the Arrest
The arrested individual has been identified as Shama Parveen, a 33-year-old originally from Jharkhand. According to police reports, the ATS investigation uncovered her alleged role in strengthening the Al-Qaeda network in Bengaluru. She resided in the Manoranipalya area of the city. Reports indicate that Parveen was reportedly managing the entire module and was a key coordinator for operations originating from Karnataka. This arrest was based on leads obtained from four Al-Qaeda terrorists arrested by the ATS the previous week.
Comments from Gujarat's Home Minister
Insights from the Home Minister
Gujarat's Home Minister, Harsh Sanghvi, stated that the woman arrested from Bengaluru is highly radicalized and operates an online terrorist module. He further confirmed that she has established contacts in Pakistan.
Previous Arrests Linked to Al-Qaeda
Four Al-Qaeda Terrorists Apprehended
Earlier, on July 23, the Gujarat ATS dismantled an Al-Qaeda (AQIS) terrorist module in the Indian subcontinent, arresting four terrorists associated with the group. One was captured in Delhi, another in Noida, and two in Ahmedabad and Modasa, Gujarat.
The four terrorists have been identified as Mohammad Faik (son of Mohammad Rizwan), Mohammad Fardeen (son of Mohammad Rais), Saifullah Qureshi (son of Mohammad Rafiq), and Zeeshan Ali (son of Asif Ali). Police reported that all four are aged between 20 and 25 and were planning a significant attack in the country. The Gujarat police further noted that the terrorists were connected through social media, and investigations are ongoing.
Profile of Shama Parveen
Who is Shama Parveen?
Shama Parveen, originally from Jharkhand, had been living in Bengaluru for the past three years with her younger brother, who is employed in the city. It is reported that she is unmarried and unemployed, spending her time managing online communications linked to radical networks. Her presence did not raise local suspicions until the ATS identified her through monitoring digital footprints associated with known extremist profiles and content.