Bhopal terrorist arrested revealed as ISIS social media handler:Granted bail in Gyanvapi Mosque case; recruitment and radicalization intensified of like-minded youth online

A terrorist arrested from Bhopal, identified as Syed Adnan, has been revealed to be a key social media handler for ISIS. Following his release on bail in a previous case, Adnan allegedly intensified recruitment of like-minded youth and continued to propagate extremist content online. Threats to Kashi judge Syed Adnan had posted threatening messages on Instagram against the judge who had ordered a video survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque premises in Varanasi. The posts included incendiary statements urging violence, calling the judge a “kafir” (infidel). A case was filed at Gomti Nagar police station in Lucknow under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Early radicalization and social media activity According to police investigations, Adnan’s extremist leanings began after completing his 12th standard. He started following jihadi pages and channels online, gradually coming under the influence of ISIS ideology. He worked as a social media handler for ISIS, collecting and editing jihadi videos from the internet. These videos included inflammatory speeches promoting martyrdom in the name of religion and were manipulated to connect with Islamic texts. Adnan reportedly used fake identities to upload and spread these videos on YouTube channels and other social media platforms, coordinating with a Syrian ISIS commander via the Signal app and other platforms. He was affiliated with ISIS-linked social media groups, including “Satt-ul-Ummah” and “Voice of India,” which had over a thousand members, mostly based in Syria.
Background of the two Adnans Mohammad Adnan Khan (from Etah, UP) Another Adnan, Mohammad Adnan Khan from Etah district in Uttar Pradesh, came from a middle-class family. His father worked as a driver for Doordarshan, and his mother was a homemaker. After moving to Delhi in 2020, he attempted further studies but struggled, eventually completing a diploma in Data Information Technology. He joined extremist online groups in 2023, influenced by material provided by Abu Ibrahim al-Quraishi, a Syrian ISIS handler. He pledged allegiance to the ISIS Caliphate and documented the oath on video. Adnan Khan (from Bhopal, MP) The Bhopal-based Adnan Khan belongs to a middle-class family in Karond, Bhopal. His father, Salam Khan, works as an accountant in a private firm, and his mother is a part-time actress. Adnan studied up to the 12th standard in Bhopal and is currently preparing for Chartered Accountancy exams under local guidance. From ages six to ten, he attended a madrasa, after which his inclination toward extremism grew, intensifying after the 12th class. Arrest and seizures Delhi Police’s Special Cell arrested Adnan from his Bhopal residence early on October 18. Religious extremist literature and a laptop were seized. He had created a fake Instagram account under the alias “Khilji” to spread extremist content. The operation was conducted with strict secrecy, leaving neighbors and local police unaware. Past terror arrests in Bhopal Four years ago, the ATS had arrested four terrorists in Bhopal who were members of the banned Bangladeshi terrorist organization Jamaat-e-Mujahideen. These individuals were preparing sleeper cells to carry out future attacks. Two of them were renting accommodation near Fatima Masjid in the Aishbagh area, while the others were captured near Khatija Masjid in Karond. Police statement Authorities have highlighted that following Adnan’s bail, he became more active in online extremist recruitment and content dissemination. Investigators are continuing to track his online networks to prevent further radicalization.