Andhra Pradesh Police Bust ISIS-Linked Module Planning Women’s Wing ‘Khawateen’; 12 Arrested Across Six States

The Andhra Pradesh Police have uncovered a major terror conspiracy linked to the radical outfit “Al Malik Islamic Youth,” which is allegedly connected to international terror groups Islamic State (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). Investigators revealed that the group was operating with guidance from Pakistan-based handlers and was planning attacks across India.

According to officials, the probe exposed a plan to establish a women’s wing named “Khawateen,” which was allegedly to be led by Hyderabad-based Sayeeda Begum. The wing was reportedly intended to recruit and radicalize women and train them for operational roles within the network. Police said the organisation had plans to train recruits in the use of firearms, sniper rifles and explosives as part of preparations for potential terror strikes. The network is believed to have been expanding its reach through covert recruitment and coordination with handlers operating from outside the country. As part of the ongoing crackdown, the Andhra Pradesh Police have so far arrested 12 suspects from six different states. Authorities said the arrests were the result of a coordinated operation involving multiple intelligence and law-enforcement agencies.

Last week, security agencies have foiled a potential terror-linked plot after apprehending a 19-year-old youth from Delhi who was allegedly connected to global terror outfits ISIS and AQIS (Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent) through online platforms and was planning to travel to Pakistan for training. The accused, identified as Ali Ahmed, a resident of Rohini in Delhi, was allegedly radicalised online and came in contact with handlers of terror organisations through a gaming application.Ali Ahmed was subsequently recruited into ISIS through online channels. According to sources, after coming under the influence of extremist ideology, Ali Ahmed began posting provocative content on social media.He allegedly replaced the Indian national flag with the ISIS flag on his profiles, mocked the national anthem, shared images of burning the tricolour, praised ISIS, and promoted hateful propaganda "calling for the establishment of an Islamic State in India."Sources say Ali was on the verge of receiving operational tasks from online groups when security agencies intercepted and detained him.The accused had reportedly formed a group named “Al Malik Islamic Youth”, aimed at radicalising young people and promoting extremist narratives such as “Ghazwa-e-Hind.”The arrest comes shortly after a major crackdown by Andhra Pradesh Police and the Delhi Police Special Cell, in which 12 suspects linked to ISIS and Al-Qaeda networks were arrested across multiple states.