Cyber Crime
Interpol Issues Red Notice Against Libya-Based IS Operative from Maharashtra
Interpol has issued a red notice against Mohammed Shoeb Khan, a Libya-based operative of the Islamic State (IS) who hails from Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed the development on Tuesday.
Shoeb Khan, 50, is wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) ISIS module case. According to the agency, he was actively involved in recruiting young individuals from the region for IS, along with another accused, Mohammad Zoheb Khan. The duo reportedly created a WhatsApp group to facilitate radicalization and recruitment.
While Zoheb Khan was arrested by the NIA in February 2024, Shoeb managed to flee India. The agency later filed a charge sheet against both individuals in July 2024. Investigations revealed that Shoeb Khan, now based in Libya, was conspiring to propagate the extremist ideology of IS and recruit individuals to execute terror attacks in India.
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The NIA stated that Shoeb and Zoheb had pledged allegiance (bay’ah) to the self-proclaimed IS caliph and had devised plans to flee to Afghanistan or Turkey after executing attacks in India. They were also involved in developing an online platform to spread extremist ideology and attract global recruits for IS.
Further inquiries uncovered that Zoheb Khan had added over 50 young individuals from the Aurangabad area to the WhatsApp group with the intention of radicalizing them. The group members were reportedly exposed to content related to explosive manufacturing and IED fabrication. The accused had also devised a comprehensive terror plan targeting multiple locations in India and had outlined post-attack strategies.
The Interpol red notice, a global alert for law enforcement agencies, allows member nations to locate and provisionally arrest Shoeb Khan, paving the way for his extradition. He faces multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy, terrorist acts, recruitment for terrorist activities, and supporting a banned terrorist organization.
With the latest developments, the NIA continues its efforts to dismantle IS-linked networks operating within India, emphasizing the global dimensions of the case as investigators identify foreign-based handlers connected to the conspiracy.