In a joint operation conducted on Monday, the Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS) of Madhya Pradesh and Bihar laid hands on a 56-year-old Maulana (cleric) from Bihar’s Madhubani district over allegations of maintaining contact with a Pakistani handler and engaging in activities currently under investigation.

The arrested accused has been identified as Izharul Haque. According to sources, he is a native of Nau Tol Sarisawpahi village under Pandoul police station limits in Madhubani district. He had been residing at Madrasa Noore Mohammadiya in the Urdu Mohalla area of Raghonagar in Madhubani, when the ATS sleuths swooped down on him.

MP ATS seeks aid from Bihar counterpart

Officials aware of the development said that the Madhya Pradesh ATS registered a case on June 12, 2026, under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 13(1)(b) and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. During the course of the investigation, the MP ATS sought assistance from the Bihar ATS.

Acting on the information gathered, both the agencies carried out a coordinated operation and apprehended Haque from Madhubani.

Following the arrest, the accused was produced before a local court in Madhubani. The MP ATS subsequently obtained transit remand and took him to Bhopal for further questioning and investigation.

Digital evidence being scrutinised

The investigating personnel said preliminary findings and technical evidence suggest that Haque was allegedly in contact with a Pakistani handler. During the search operation, officials recovered two Android cell phones from his possession.

The seized devices, along with other digital material, are currently being examined as part of the ongoing probe. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details regarding the nature of the communications or the extent of the alleged links.

Accused connected with handlers through Google Meet

Police sources claimed that Haque had completed his graduation from Darul Uloom Deoband in Uttar Pradesh and later came into contact with an individual identified as Imam Mehndi.

According to information being examined by investigators, Haque allegedly communicated with his handler through Google Meet and is also suspected of having travelled to Karnataka and Mumbai on multiple occasions for meetings.

Sources also claimed that he frequently travelled outside Bihar, reportedly every three months, and had obtained a passport from Patna. Investigators are also looking into allegations related to activities at the madrasa and the institution’s funding sources.

Officials emphasised that the investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge after the examination of the recovered digital evidence and subsequent interrogation of the accused.

- Report By Bureau Head Sumit R Chawla