The operation of the same network, which previously facilitated illegal travel to Iraq in 2017, with some individuals suspected of joining ISIS, has spanned to Raipur and Nagpur.

The three arrested individuals, who had been living in Raipur for over five years, were caught using fraudulent documents to travel to Iraq.

They were found in possession of Indian passports, Aadhaar cards, and voter IDs obtained through forged documents with the assistance of a local racketeer.

By : Akshay Lehre
Raipur । In a covert operation meticulously planned and executed over a month, the Chhattisgarh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), in collaboration with the Maharashtra ATS, successfully apprehended three suspected Bangladeshi nationals who had been residing in Raipur for over five years. These individuals were found attempting to travel from Raipur to Baghdad via Mumbai. The operation, part of a comprehensive intelligence-gathering initiative, led to the arrest of Mohammad Ismail (27), Sheikh Akbar (23), and Sheikh Sajan (22). These suspects are believed to be part of a human trafficking syndicate accused of facilitating illegal travel from India to Iraq.

The arrested individuals, who originally hail from Nabharan in Jessore district of Khulna, Bangladesh, had been living in Raipur’s Mission Bada area of Taj Nagar, Tikrapara. “The three suspects are brothers: Mohammad Ismail, 27; Sheikh Akbar, 23; and Sheikh Sajan, 22,” confirmed sources from Chhattisgarh Police Intelligence Wing.

While attempting to travel to Iraq under the pretext of a religious pilgrimage (Ziyarat), the suspects had managed to procure fraudulent Indian documentation, including passports, Aadhaar cards, and voter ID cards. “These documents were obtained with the assistance of Mohammad Arif, a local racketeer who specializes in forging documents for illegal immigration,” revealed a senior official from the Chhattisgarh Police Intelligence Wing.

During their transit, the suspects were apprehended in Mumbai, where they intended to board a flight to Baghdad. Upon questioning, they disclosed their plans to remain in Iraq permanently, with no intention to return to India. “The trio had secured Iraqi visas, and subsequent investigations have confirmed their involvement in a larger, organized criminal network facilitating illegal immigration,” added the source.

This network, involved in facilitating illegal travel, had previously orchestrated similar operations. “In 2017, the same network helped several individuals travel to Iraq, with strong indications that some may have joined extremist groups like ISIS,” the source revealed. Authorities are currently expanding their probe into the Raipur and Nagpur links associated with this operation.

The covert operation was supervised by ADG (Intelligence) Amit Kumar, ensuring seamless coordination between the Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra ATS units. The field operations were led by Chhattisgarh ATS Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajshree Mishra and Inspector ATS Ramakant Sahu, who played a pivotal role in executing the operation on the ground. “The coordinated efforts of both ATS teams were crucial in exposing this criminal network,” the source stated.

“This network spans multiple jurisdictions, and dismantling it is our top priority,” said the official. Investigations are ongoing, and charges have been filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), including sections 318(4), 338, 340, and 111B, alongside violations under Section 12(b) of the Indian Passport Act. “Both ATS teams continue to follow leads and expand their investigation to uncover the full scale of the racket,” the official concluded.