Bengaluru Woman Arrested for Allegedly Spreading Al-Qaeda Propaganda Online: The Case of Shama Parveen Ansari

In a significant counter-terrorism development, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested a 30-year-old woman, Shama Parveen Ansari, from Bengaluru on July 30, 2025. Accused of disseminating propaganda content for Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), Ansari was tracked down following a larger crackdown on online radicalisation networks operating across the country. Her arrest reveals the evolving landscape of extremism where digital influence and ideological messaging often replace conventional terror strategies.

Shama Parveen Ansari, 30 was allegedly amplifying Al-Qaeda's propaganda through social media. She was arrested by Gujarat ATS. Image courtesy: moneycontrol | Firstpost

From Jharkhand to Bengaluru: A Life Away from the Spotlight

Originally hailing from Asnabad village in Jharkhand’s Koderma district, Shama Parveen had been living in Bengaluru for the past three years with her younger brother. She resided in the Manorayanapalya locality of Hebbal, a residential area far removed from the eyes of suspicion. Her lifestyle was modest, with no formal employment or any conspicuous signs of affluence or political activity. Yet, behind this seemingly quiet life, she maintained an active and far-reaching presence on social media.

Online Activity and Radical Content

Investigators allege that Ansari operated at least two Facebook pages and an Instagram account that collectively attracted over 10,000 followers. Through these platforms, she is accused of promoting speeches and sermons from known jihadist figures such as Maulana Asim Umar (former AQIS chief), American-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, and Pakistani radical preacher Maulana Abdul Aziz. The posts reportedly glorified armed jihad, encouraged Muslims to reject Indian secular governance, and called for the establishment of Islamic rule through violent means.

The content further included ideological narratives centered around "Ghazwa-e-Hind," an eschatological prophecy promoted by Islamist groups advocating for a military conquest of India. Her posts were not only inflammatory in nature but also served as recruitment propaganda and motivational material for potential sympathizers of AQIS’s cause.

The Gujarat ATS Investigation and Arrest

Shama Parveen’s arrest was the result of a broader investigation initiated by Gujarat ATS after four individuals were arrested earlier in July for distributing similar AQIS-related content in Delhi, Noida, Ahmedabad, and Modasa. One of the accused, Mohammad Faiq from Delhi, revealed during interrogation that he had sourced radical content from social media pages that were later traced to Shama Parveen. This revelation became a key lead in the investigation.

Based on this intelligence, Gujarat ATS, in coordination with central agencies and Karnataka police, located her Bengaluru address and arrested her on July 30. She was produced before a magistrate in Bengaluru, where a transit remand was granted, allowing her to be transferred to Gujarat for further questioning.

Connections, Networks, and Further Investigations

Authorities are now probing the depth of Ansari’s involvement in AQIS-linked propaganda operations. Preliminary findings suggest that she may have been in contact with individuals in Pakistan and other countries sympathetic to extremist ideologies. Investigators are examining her call records, email communications, and digital storage devices to determine whether she was merely a propagandist or an active participant in a larger terror module.

Interestingly, her family background reveals a sharp contrast. Her siblings are reportedly well-educated and professionally employed—two elder brothers working in the software industry and a sister serving as a scientist in Kolkata. Local police in Jharkhand visited the family home to gather more information but found no immediate signs of radical influence from the household. This stark contrast underscores how digital radicalisation can unfold silently, even among seemingly mainstream families.

The Changing Nature of Radicalisation

The case of Shama Parveen Ansari highlights the changing dynamics of extremism in India. Unlike conventional terrorist suspects who might undergo weapons training or participate in clandestine meetings, Ansari’s involvement was purely ideological and digital. Her ability to gain followers and circulate radical content points to the growing power of social media as a tool for ideological warfare.

Digital platforms offer extremist groups a low-cost, high-impact medium to spread their ideology, recruit supporters, and incite violence without the need for physical mobilization. This creates new challenges for counter-terrorism agencies that now need to track, monitor, and disrupt online networks with the same urgency as traditional terror cells.

Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale in the Digital Age

Shama Parveen Ansari’s arrest is a wake-up call about the evolving face of radicalisation in India. It underscores the importance of vigilance not just on the ground, but also in the virtual world. As terrorism adapts to modern technology, law enforcement must continue to evolve in its methods of surveillance, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency cooperation.

The incident also raises critical questions about the spread of extremist ideologies through accessible platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and the extent to which these tools are being exploited for anti-national agendas. While the investigation is still underway, this case serves as a stark reminder that extremism in the digital era can be just as dangerous—if not more—as its physical counterpart.

(Sources: Firstpost, Hindustan Times, Times of India)