The coordinated operation involved multiple ATS units from Mumbai, Akola, Aurangabad, Amravati, and Nagpur. “The primary goal was to preempt efforts to radicalise local youths by establishing links with terrorist groups,” the official added.The ATS teams have seized electronic devices, mobile phones, CCTV equipment, objectionable documents, and other materials for forensic analysis. In Ahilyanagar, swords were also recovered. While no arrests have been confirmed so far, investigations are ongoing.According to officials, the raids were based on intelligence from national agencies and social media surveillance that flagged attempts to radicalise and recruit youths by linking them with terrorist networks. Search warrants were issued by various judicial magistrates first class (JMFC) courts, allowing teams to conduct thorough inspections from early morning.In January, Uttar Pradesh ATS had arrested Idhu Islam, a close associate of Chhangur Baba, from Nagpur in connection with its investigation into an alleged religious conversion racket operating in the state. The operation was carried out by a joint team of local police and the Maharashtra ATS and UP ATS. As per the statement, Idhu Islam played a key role in managing funds and logistics for the conversion network.This crackdown comes amid nationwide efforts by security agencies to curb terror recruitment and propaganda, especially targeting impressionable youth. Previous operations in Maharashtra, including probes into the Pune ISIS module and the alleged religious conversion network in Nagpur, have seen coordinated action by local and state ATS units to dismantle extremist networks.Officials stated that the probe is still in its initial stages, and further developments are expected as the analysis of seized materials progresses.
