The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Wednesday conducted searches at multiple locations in Thane and Mumbai as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected links with the Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS).

Officials confirmed that one of the locations raided was the residence of a teacher, identified as Ibrahim Abidi, who lived in a rented house in the Kausa area of Mumbra, Thane district. Abidi reportedly taught Urdu classes at a mosque in Kurla every Sunday.

The ATS also searched the residence of Abidi’s second wife in Kurla. Investigators are examining whether he may have attempted to influence children toward extremist ideologies. During the raids, several electronic devices were seized and sent for forensic analysis to verify any possible connection with terrorist networks.

According to the ATS, the searches were linked to the ongoing Pune AQIS case, in which a software engineer was earlier arrested for alleged ties to the banned terrorist organisation. 

Authorities had previously recovered digital evidence and literature suggesting extremist activities from the accused in that case.

In an earlier operation, the ATS had arrested Zubair Ilyas Hungargekar from Pune for allegedly promoting jihad and supporting AQIS, with charges relating to actions that could threaten national security.

The latest operations come amid heightened security measures following the recent car blast in Delhi, which has prompted both central and state security agencies to increase vigilance at key locations. Surveillance and intelligence efforts have been intensified to prevent any potential threats.

Meanwhile, on November 9, the Gujarat ATS arrested three individuals from Ahmedabad for their alleged involvement with the Islamic State (ISIS). The suspects — Ahmed Mohiuddin Syed, Mohammad Suhel, and Azad — were reportedly under surveillance for nearly a year and were detained while attempting to arrange a weapons exchange. Investigators believe they were planning coordinated attacks at multiple locations across India.

A day later, Azad was identified as a resident of Jhinjhana town in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district. His family has denied any knowledge of his alleged links to terrorist organisations and has called for a fair and transparent probe into the case.