Odisha Man Arrested in Delhi for Alleged Terror Links and Cyber Training
Sheikh Imran, a 22-year-old resident of Bhubaneswar's Ganga Nagar area, was arrested by Delhi police on Saturday for his alleged connections with a radical group. According to state police sources, Imran had reportedly undergone a short-term training program in cyber tradecraft specifically related to terrorist activities.
Honey-Trap Operation and Radicalization Process
Police sources revealed that Imran was allegedly honey-trapped by a suspected Pakistani woman before being coerced into joining the radical organization. "Through his social media accounts, he came in contact with a close group, where radical content on religious lines was circulated," stated a written communication from the commissionerate police.
A senior officer in the Odisha police confirmed that investigations have uncovered Imran made several trips to Delhi over the past year. He reportedly visited the capital to meet the Pakistani woman and attended a week-long program to learn specialized cyber techniques used in subversive activities.
Comprehensive Investigation Underway
The state Crime Branch's special task force (STF), which serves as the nodal agency for organized crime and terror investigations, is currently analyzing Imran's online conversations with the woman. STF Superintendent of Police Rabi Satapathy emphasized that "the honey-trap angle and cyber terrorism training are being verified." He added that authorities are working to determine whether other individuals from Odisha were part of the same radical network.
Odisha police, in coordination with their Delhi counterparts, are conducting a thorough background check on Imran. This investigation encompasses his social media activity, financial transactions, and call records. Investigators disclosed that Imran's name emerged during the interrogation of several youths detained in Delhi last week.
Family's Reaction and Contradictory Information
Imran's family expressed profound shock at the allegations against him. His father, Sheikh Amir, stated, "My son was glued to his mobile phone for hours, but I never imagined he was involved in anti-national activities. I believe the mobile phone ruined him."
While police described Imran as unemployed, his father offered contradictory information. Amir claimed his son worked as a delivery agent for an online food aggregator. "He often asked me for money. I told him to find work, and he said he was doing food delivery, though I was never sure," Amir explained.
The investigation continues as authorities work to verify all aspects of this complex case involving cyber terrorism training, honey-trapping tactics, and potential radical group connections spanning multiple states.
