ATS arrests 32-year-old Pune engineer for suspected Al-Qaeda links.
Raids in Kondhwa and nearby areas led to his detention.
Court remands him to police custody till November 4 for further probe.
Pune, 28 October 2025: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 32-year-old computer engineer from Kondhwa for allegedly having ties with the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization. The accused, identified as Zuber Hangarjikar, was detained at Pune Railway Station on Monday following a detailed investigation.
According to ATS sources, Hangarjikar had been in communication with members of the banned outfit and was found in possession of objectionable literature. His associate has also been taken into custody for questioning.
Earlier this month, on October 9, the ATS had conducted extensive raids in areas including Kondhwa, Wanwadi, and Khadki, detaining 18 individuals for inquiry. Investigators seized 19 laptops, several mobile phones, and other digital materials. Information recovered from one of these laptops eventually led to Hangarjikar’s arrest.
In a related operation, Pune Police had earlier arrested three men from Kothrud on suspicion of vehicle theft. Later investigations revealed their alleged links to terrorist groups, including ISIS. Authorities believe the group was planning attacks in Mumbai, Pune, Gujarat, and other major Indian cities. It also emerged that they had conducted bomb-testing trials in forest areas of Kolhapur and Satara.
Following his arrest, Hangarjikar was produced before a Pune court on Monday. The prosecution argued that investigators need time to examine how he established contact with Al-Qaeda, whether he was involved in any destructive activities, and to identify his associates. Accepting the argument, the court remanded him to police custody until November 4.
The ATS continues to investigate his connections and any possible plans related to terror activities in the region.
