Al-Qaeda Propaganda Handler Detained: ATS Unscrambles ‘Khilafat’ Call In Operation Sindoor
Ahmedabad/Bengaluru, Aug 7, 2025 The Gujarat Anti‑Terrorism Squad (ATS) has detained Shama Parveen Ansari, a 30‑year‑old Bengaluru resident, for operating an online propaganda network propagating Al‑Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) ideology. She is under a 14‑day remand as the investigation continues.
Digital Jihad & ‘Project Khilafat’ Appeal
Investigators claim Ansari used two Facebook accounts and an Instagram handle—collectively amounting to around 10,000 followers—to spread inflammatory material. On May 9, hardly two days after India launched Operation Sindoor to strike terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, she posted a message asking Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir to seize the “golden opportunity” and achieve what she termed “Project Khilafat” to “unite Muslim lands” and “uproot Hindutva and Zionism.”.
Extremist Propaganda Promoting Videos
The ATS has alleged she uploaded a number of inflammatory videos, including: A video of a cleric denouncing Indian Muslims for backing the army and attacking the Pahalgam terror attack. A video featuring Lal Masjid imam Abdul Aziz urging armed revolution in order to establish a caliphate in India. Content with one of the leaders of AQIS making a call for “Ghazwa‑e‑Hind”—an extremist drive calling for violent struggle against the Indian state targeting Hindu communities in particular. Besides, the New Indian Express revealed that Ansari’s propaganda was also aimed at the RSS, Prime Minister Modi, and America, while glorifying destruction narratives from Gujarat, promoting extremist content.
Network and Broader Impacts
Authorities believe Ansari was part of an organized group. She is linked to four others arrested earlier in a multi-state crackdown; all are charged under India’s stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). She might have served as a digital handler for AQIS, ATS adds, organizing recruitment, ideological message to radicalize, and operational orders through encrypted and open forums.
Ongoing Custody and Legal Proceedings
The ATS continues its probe, examining seized digital content and mapping Ansari’s reach and connections.
Digital Threat Awareness
This case underscores growing concerns over social media’s role in radicalization. It highlights the need for robust content moderation and early action.
Regional Security & Propaganda Risks
With tensions simmering post-Operation Sindoor, such propaganda campaigns can aggravate cross‑border sensitivities and inflame communal discord.