Dharmavaram, Andhra Prades, Chezi Sheik Kothwal Noor Mohammad, 42, a chef, was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh Police on Saturday on suspicion of his links with Pakistan-based terror groups. He was arrested in Dharmavaram in Sri Sathya Sai district following an investigation initiated by the authorities after they made observations regarding his suspicious behavior and activities on social media.
According to police reports, Mohammad was reportedly having taken up extremist material on the internet, and fears of his radicalization existed. Even though he has not been accused of conducting any terror operations, he was suspected to have been in contact with banned groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed. Dharmavaram Sub-Divisional Police Officer U. Narsingappa explained, “He only adopted content and got influenced but didn’t commit any act or maybe didn’t get a chance. Training could have radicalized him.”
National Investigation Agency (NIA) is most likely to pick up the investigation, given the gravity of the charges and potential national security implications. The intervention by the NIA indicates how seriously Indian authorities are treating this case. This arrest comes in the wake of a series of recent cases relating to Andhra Pradesh and terrorism. In May 2025, two individuals, Siraj-ur-Rehman and Syed Sameer, were arrested for allegedly plotting to conduct bomb blasts in Andhra Pradesh and other states using improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Investigations revealed that Rehman had undergone training to prepare bombs in Saudi Arabia, while Sameer had undergone training in Pakistan. The National Investigation Agency has now assumed the investigation of this terror plot.
Dharmavaram locals have been shocked and alarmed by the arrest, pointing to the difficulty of detecting and preventing radicalization in everyday people. The public has been reassured by the authorities that steps are being implemented to guarantee safety and avoid other incidents. Conclusion Sheik Kothwal Noor Mohammad’s arrest is a grim reminder of the constant terror of radicalization and the importance of being cautious in detecting and addressing it. With continuing investigations, Indian authorities still battle terrorism and ensure the security and safety of its people.