Police Arrest 9 People In Western India On Suspicion Of Being Linked To IS - Reports

The Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) of the western Indian state of Maharashtra have arrested nine people, including one teenager, on suspicion of being linked to the Islamic State terrorist group (IS, banned in Russia), local media reported on Wednesday

NEW DELHI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2019) The Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) of the western Indian state of Maharashtra have arrested nine people, including one teenager, on suspicion of being linked to the Islamic State terrorist group (IS, banned in Russia), local media reported on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the ATS carried out raids across the state to detect IS sleeper cells ahead of Republic Day, which will be celebrated on Saturday, the NDTV broadcaster specified.

The suspects were arrested in Maharashtra's cities of Mumbra, Thane, and Aurangabad. With the help of intelligence it received, the ATS tracked the suspects for several weeks before tasking dozens of teams with carrying out simultaneous raids across five different locations in the three cities.

Chemicals, explosives, acid bottles and sharp knives were found during the raids.

The suspects have been arrested on charges of criminal conspiracy and unlawful activities.