In a significant counter-terrorism operation, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) arrested a 33-year-old woman, Shama Parveen, from Bengaluru for her alleged involvement in strengthening Al Qaeda&rsquo;s presence in India.
Originally from Jharkhand, Parveen had been living in the Manorayanapalya area of Bengaluru for the past three years with her brother, a software engineer. A graduate by education, she is suspected of being a key member of Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), according to officials.
Sources said that Parveen was actively promoting extremist ideology online, particularly through Instagram, where she allegedly shared propaganda videos of known Al Qaeda operatives and attempted to radicalise youth.
Her arrest followed detailed interrogation of four previously captured Al Qaeda operatives by Gujarat ATS, who reportedly revealed her connections. During a joint operation with local police, ATS officials seized digital devices including a laptop and mobile phones from her residence.
She was presented in a local court and granted a transit warrant for her transfer to Gujarat.
This incident comes on the heels of the NIA&rsquo;s arrest of Aziz Ahamad, a Hizb-ut-Tahrir accused, from Bengaluru airport last year, raising concerns over terror networks operating from Karnataka.
Security has been tightened across Bengaluru, with intelligence teams on high alert.

Gujarat ATS arrests Shama Parveen in Bengaluru for alleged Al Qaeda links and radical act

Al Qaeda Woman Operative Held in Bengaluru

Gujarat ATS arrests Shama Parveen in Bengaluru for alleged Al Qaeda links and radical act

July 30, 2025 | 11:23 IST