Moradabad | The Uttar Pradesh ATS has arrested BDS student Harris Ali from Moradabad on charges of being linked to the online module of the terrorist organization ISIS. He is accused of using fake accounts on social media to incite people to carry out suicide attacks. The accused hails from Saharanpur and is a second-year BDS student.
According to ATS sources, Harris Ali often stayed up late at night in his room working on his laptop. He maintained minimal communication with others at the college and hostel. His peers said he appeared to be studying, spending long hours on his laptop, but no one suspected he could be associated with a terrorist organization.
Harris Ali had arrived in Moradabad two years ago to pursue BDS at Kothiwal Dental College. After enrollment, he stayed in the college hostel and focused on his studies. After returning from classes, he would go straight to his room and remain occupied with his laptop. Even during phone conversations, he mostly used WhatsApp calls.
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The ATS stated that the district police and intelligence department became alert at the time of his arrest. Subsequently, the police began investigating Harris Ali’s local contacts and collaborators. They also coordinated with the college administration to collect necessary information.
Prior to this arrest, Moradabad had witnessed other terrorist apprehensions. Last year, Katghar police arrested terrorist Alfat Hussain, who hailed from Jammu & Kashmir and had attempted terrorist activities while residing in Moradabad. Several of his associates were also taken into custody at that time.
Alfat Hussain had passed his high school in 1987 and intermediate in 1991. In 1992, he went to a madrasa in Bareilly for religious education. After nearly a year, he moved to another madrasa in Rampur to continue his studies. In 1995, he settled at Hafiz Wali Masjid in the Gal Shaheed area of Moradabad, where Maulana Rasheed from Jammu & Kashmir was already residing. There, he came into contact with Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Taqi, Jafar, and Naseem.
Alfat Hussain reportedly radicalized several individuals by luring them. In 1999, he underwent training at a Hizbul Mujahideen camp in Pakistan before returning to Moradabad in 2000. He began training local youth and sent some terrorists across the border. In 2002, he attempted a terrorist act in Moradabad but was arrested and sent to jail. Despite being released on bail later, he failed to appear in court, prompting warrants. Last year, Katghar police, with ATS assistance, re-arrested him from Jammu & Kashmir.
Security agencies stated that Harris Ali’s arrest and investigation into his network have raised alertness across the district. Police and ATS are working to identify other contacts and determine who else may have been influenced through the ISIS online module.
This arrest serves as a warning for security and intelligence agencies in Moradabad. Experts emphasize that monitoring online activities of youth and timely action are critical in preventing such extremist links.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
