PUNE: In a significant move to dismantle terror networks operating in Maharashtra, the state's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested 35-year-old software engineer Zubair Hangargekar on Monday for his suspected connections to Pakistan-based Al-Qaeda and efforts to radicalise young individuals. The arrest, carried out at Pune Railway Station upon his return from Chennai, underscores the growing threat of online extremism infiltrating urban professional circles.  

Hangargekar, a resident of Pune's Kondhwa neighbourhood and originally from Solapur, was under ATS surveillance for nearly a month following intelligence inputs linking him to banned outfits. A BTech graduate and employee at a Kalyani Nagar-based IT firm where he reportedly earned over ₹50 lakh annually, Hangargekar presented the facade of a high-achieving professional: a consistent class topper, college cricket team captain, and member of an affluent family.  

Investigators, however, allege his double life involved downloading and disseminating Al-Qaeda propaganda, including literature and digital materials aimed at recruiting and indoctrinating vulnerable youth. Officials fear a broader sleeper cell, with preliminary evidence suggesting the duo reported to a Syrian handler and focused on digital outreach to evade physical detection.  

The breakthrough came during coordinated raids on October 9 across Kondhwa, Wanwadi, and Bhosari, where ATS teams seized 19 laptops and 40 mobile phones from multiple locations tied to a suspected radicalisation ring. Forensic analysis of Hangargekar's devices revealed incriminating content, including Al-Qaeda manuals and jihadist videos, confirming his role in an online network reportedly coordinated from Syria, a hub for resurgent ISIS and Al-Qaeda operations targeting India.  

Sources indicate the module was experimenting with drone-based reconnaissance for potential strikes in Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, and Karnataka, echoing tactics from a dismantled Pune ISIS cell earlier this year.  

"We are investigating whether Hangargekar had direct contact with Al-Qaeda operatives or other groups like ISIS, and what specific actions he planned with the seized materials," a senior ATS officer told reporters. The probe, linked to an ongoing ISIS module case involving improvised explosive device (IED) tests in forested areas, has already led to the detention of Hangargekar's associate at the railway station.  

Hangargekar has been booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for anti-national activities, possession of banned literature, and conspiracy to wage war against India. A Pune court remanded him to police custody until November 4, allowing ATS to scrutinise his communications and financial trails. "This is part of a nationwide crackdown on online radicalisation channels," the officer added, noting that while physical terror infrastructure remains limited, digital propaganda has surged, with ISIS-linked attacks globally up 60% this year.  

Local residents expressed shock at the arrest, describing Hangargekar as a "quiet, unassuming techie" who kept to himself. Counter-terrorism experts warn that such cases highlight the radicalisation of educated, employed youth, often through encrypted apps and social media, as a ticking time bomb for urban India. The ATS has urged the public to report suspicious online activity, emphasising vigilance in tech-savvy hubs like Pune.