Saquib Nachan, a convicted terrorist linked to ISIS, died at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi on Saturday while undergoing treatment. Tihar Jail officials confirmed his death and said he was shifted to the hospital due to health issues.
Health and Hospital Details
Nachan had been in Tihar Jail since December 27, 2023. As his health worsened, he was first taken to Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital on June 22. Later, he was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on June 25. Jail authorities received information that he passed away at 11:30 AM on Saturday. His family will receive his body after a post-mortem, and the last rites will be held in Borivali village near Padgha on Sunday.
Who Was Saquib Nachan?
Saquib Nachan was earlier convicted for his role in the 2002 and 2003 Mumbai bomb blasts and had served a 10-year jail sentence. He was released but was arrested again in 2023 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The NIA claimed he was working to promote ISIS activities in India. They accused him of training people in making bombs (IEDs) and taking part in the Pune ISIS module case. He also called himself the ‘Amir-e-Hind’ (leader of India) for ISIS and allegedly made others take an oath of loyalty to the ISIS chief.
In June 2024, the NIA filed charges against him and 16 others for planning terrorist activities. These included recruiting young people, making explosives, and spreading ISIS ideology, especially linked to the Delhi-Padgha ISIS module.
Searches and Investigations
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) conducted searches in June at 22 places in Borivali and Padgha. Some of Nachan’s relatives were briefly questioned and later released. Two cases were registered based on information that Nachan and his group were influencing people to join anti-national activities.
The searches were part of an investigation after the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Police were trying to find out who was helping terrorists with local support.
Tight Security for Funeral
Police have now increased security in Padgha and nearby Bhiwandi to prevent any trouble during Nachan’s funeral. Officials said they are closely monitoring the situation.
