A 30-year-old woman, Shama (Sama) Parveen Ansari, originally from Jharkhand and residing in Bengaluru’s Hebbal area, was arrested on July 29, 2025 by the Gujarat Anti‑Terrorism Squad (ATS). She stands accused of operating Facebook pages and an Instagram account with over 10,000 followers to distribute extremist content linked to Al‑Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). Her online activity reportedly included speeches by AQIS leaders and calls for Ghazwa‑e‑Hind, allegedly aimed at influencing Indian Muslim youth.(The Siasat Daily)
Her arrest marks the fifth in a broader crackdown: just a week earlier, four individuals from Gujarat, Delhi, and Noida were detained for spreading AQIS propaganda via social media. Investigators say these suspects shared edited Islamist propaganda videos and were linked through encrypted platforms.(The Indian Express)
According to Gujarat ATS, digital forensics uncovered her connections with Pakistani-based contacts, and her devices contained evidence of coordination with other members of the AQIS-affiliated network. During interrogation, Ansari reportedly admitted to operating radical accounts. Key officials described her as “highly radicalised” and instrumental in managing an online terror module.(Hindustan Times)
Legal action has been taken under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, targeting offences such as promoting enmity, violent conspiracy, and radicalising youth online. A wider investigation into over 60 related social media accounts is underway.(Hindustan Times)
