In a significant breakthrough, Sri Lankan police have apprehended a key handler linked to four ISIS suspects recently detained in Gujarat, India. The arrest comes as part of a broader crackdown involving multiple intelligence agencies.
The suspect, identified as Osman Pushparaja Gerard, 46, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Colombo. This arrest follows a high-profile investigation initiated after the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) detained four individuals suspected of having ties to the Islamic State. The Sri Lankan investigation has engaged the CID, the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID), and other military intelligence units.
Sri Lanka Police Media Spokesman confirmed Gerard’s capture, marking a critical step in unraveling the network behind the suspects. Gerard was reportedly a wanted coordinator, playing a pivotal role in managing the four suspects arrested in India.
In the days leading up to Gerard’s arrest, Sri Lankan authorities announced a two million Sri Lankan rupee reward for information leading to his capture. This incentive underscored the urgency and importance of apprehending Gerard, whose activities had posed a significant threat to regional security.
Network of Suspects Unveiled
So far, Sri Lankan police have arrested a total of six suspects, including Gerard. The arrests have revealed a complex network of individuals involved in various aspects of ISIS-related activities.
Among those detained is an individual responsible for creating an ISIS flag, which the suspects reportedly used to swear allegiance to the terrorist organization. Additionally, two other suspects who had initially planned to travel to India later backed out, paving the way for two newcomers to join the four arrested in Ahmedabad. Another key figure apprehended handled the financial transactions for the group.
The four suspects arrested by the Gujarat ATS had arrived in India on May 19 aboard an Indigo flight from Colombo to Chennai. Their backgrounds reveal a disturbing pattern of criminal activities and connections.
Mohammed Nusrat, 35, one of the detainees, had a history of dealing in imported telecommunication devices and electrical equipment from Singapore, Malaysia, and Dubai. Nusrat had previously been arrested in Colombo in September 2020 for heroin possession.
Another suspect, Mohammad Nafran, 27, ran a business importing clothing materials and chocolates from India and Dubai. Nafran’s past includes an arrest under the National Gem and Jewellery Authority Act in 2017. Notably, Nafran is the son of Mohamed Niyas Naufer, also known as ‘Potta Naufer,’ a notorious underworld druglord sentenced to death for the assassination of a High Court judge in Colombo.
The other two suspects, Mohammad Faris, 35, and Mohammad Rashdeen, 43, both hail from Colombo and were making their first visit to India at the time of their arrest.
Regional Implications and Next Steps
The arrests in both Sri Lanka and India highlight the extensive reach of ISIS networks in South Asia. The involvement of individuals with diverse backgrounds—from telecommunications and import businesses to connections with notorious criminal figures—demonstrates the multifaceted nature of these terrorist operations.
The Sri Lankan authorities’ swift action, in coordination with their Indian counterparts, underscores the importance of regional cooperation in combating terrorism. The ongoing investigation will likely reveal further details about the operational mechanisms and support structures of ISIS in the region.
Sri Lankan police continue to work closely with the CID, TID, and military intelligence services to dismantle this network. The recent arrests are expected to provide valuable intelligence, helping to prevent future terrorist activities and ensuring the security of both nations.
The successful capture of Osman Pushparaja Gerard and the dismantling of his network mark a significant victory in the fight against terrorism.
However, the authorities remain vigilant, aware that the threat of ISIS and similar organizations persists. Continued cooperation and intelligence sharing between Sri Lanka and India will be crucial in maintaining regional stability and preventing the resurgence of such threats.
As the investigation progresses, authorities anticipate further arrests and revelations, shedding more light on the extent of ISIS’s influence and operations in South Asia. The collaborative efforts of both nations serve as a testament to the importance of unity and resolve in the face of global terrorism.
