‘Khilafat’ terror module posing as NGO busted

The Special Cell of Delhi Police has uncovered a suspected terror module known as Khilafat, which was allegedly operating under the guise of a non-governmental organisation and backed by a Pakistan-based handler, with the arrest of five operatives in raids across multiple states.

The arrested accused have been identified as Ashhar Danish (23), Aftab Qureshi (25) and Sufiyan Abubakar (20), both from Mumbai; Mohammad Huzaifa (20) from Telangana; and Kamran Qureshi (26) from Madhya Pradesh.

Addressing a press conference, Additional Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Kushwah said the operatives possessed detailed knowledge of preparing gunpowder and fabricating improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Some members had even expressed readiness to sacrifice their lives in pursuit of establishing a Caliphate in India under the concept of Ghazwa-e-Hind, he added.

The cop added that a large cache of incriminating material, including chemicals, IED-making components, cartridge fabrication equipment, ball bearings, two semi-automatic pistols and a country-made pistol.

Kushwah also mentioned that the module was funded money through hawala transactions and was being run in form of an NGO to evade suspicion from law enforcement agencies.

The breakthrough came after the arrest of Aftab and Sufiyan near Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station in Southeast Delhi who were trying to procure weapons from a Mewat-based person.

Based on the information from the duo, the team led by deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Amit Kaushik, carried out raids in Jharkhand’s Ranchi, Rajgarh in Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana, leading to the arrest of three more suspects, the official mentioned.

The police described Ashhar Danish as the kingpin. A postgraduate in English, he allegedly posed as a company CEO, professor, or NGO operator to disguise his activities. Officials said Danish had procured chemicals for gunpowder manufacturing, bought copper plates in August 2025 to make cartridges, and obtained a bullet along with a country-made weapon from Bokaro to use as a prototype for fabricating firearms.

The team recovered sulfur powder, sodium bicarbonate, ball bearings, gas masks, electrical wires, fuse points, cartridges and other components used in making IEDs from his rented accommodation in Ranchi.