Pune Doctor Arrested by NIA for Promoting Violent Activities and Connections with ISIS

In a significant development related to the Maharashtra ISIS module investigation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) made its fifth arrest on Thursday, targeting individuals associated with the outlawed terrorist organization. Dr. Adnan Ali Sarkar, a renowned anesthesiologist based in Pune, was taken into custody following an NIA raid at his residence in Kondhwa.

The arrest of Dr. Sarkar marks the sixth detention in connection with the investigation, as reported on June 28, according to an official statement issued by the NIA. The central agency had previously detained Zubair Noor Mohammed Shaikh alias Abu Nusaiba, Sharjeel Shaikh, and Zulfikar Ali Barodawala from Thane, as well as Tabish Nasser Siddiqui from Mumbai on July 3, following extensive searches.

During the raid at Dr. Sarkar's home in Kondhwa, the NIA uncovered various incriminating items, including electronic devices and documents associated with the ISIS terrorist group, as mentioned in their press statement.

The NIA stated that the accused had planned and facilitated schemes to advance ISIS terrorist activities, commonly known as the Islamic State (IS), Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Daish, Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), Islamic State Wilayat Khorasan, and Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham Khorasan (ISIS-K).

According to the NIA's investigations, Dr. Adnan Ali Sarkar was allegedly involved in undermining the nation's unity, integrity, security, and sovereignty. He was allegedly part of the ISIS plot through the "Maharashtra ISIS module," which aimed to wage war against the Indian government. The NIA has asserted that they will continue to investigate the issue concerning the Maharashtra ISIS module.

Dr. Sarkar is an experienced anesthesiologist with 16 years of expertise in treating problematic airways and administering regional anesthesia. He obtained his MBBS degree from BJ Government Medical College in Pune in 2001 and completed his MD in anesthesia from the same institution in 2006. The doctor is known to be proficient in German, Hindi, Marathi, and English and has co-authored 18 articles with specialists in the field.

The NIA had previously announced on July 3 that an intelligence-driven operation led to the disruption of an ISIS cell in Maharashtra, resulting in the apprehension of four individuals involved in inciting terrorism.

The searches conducted by the NIA were prompted by information suggesting that the accused and their associates had recruited young individuals and provided them with instructions on constructing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and weaponry. The accused also distributed tools such as "Do it Yourself kits" (DIY) for creating IEDs and small arms like handguns among themselves. Moreover, they produced provocative media content under the direction of their foreign-based ISIS handlers, which was published in the magazine "Voice of Hind" to further the terror and violence agenda of the banned organization, according to the statement from the anti-terror investigative agency.

Hospital administrators, where Dr. Adnan Ali Sarkar practiced, had previously hailed him as one of the top medical professionals in his specialty. Although he had worked for a different private hospital in the past, he was currently serving as a consultant at the present facility.

The NIA's investigation into the ISIS module continues, and authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to counter terrorist activities and uphold national security.