By Emeka Blast 
Brain Hemorrhage Claims Life of ISIS India Head Saquib Nachan in Custody
Saquib Abdul Hamid Nachan, identified as the head of the Islamic State’s (ISIS) India operations and a former senior member of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), died on Saturday, June 28, at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital following a brain haemorrhage. The 63-year-old, who had been in judicial custody at Tihar Jail since his 2023 arrest by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), succumbed at 12:10 pm after four days of intensive medical care.
Nachan, a resident of Padgha in Maharashtra’s Thane district, was admitted to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital on Monday, June 24, after suffering a stroke while in custody. His condition deteriorated, prompting a transfer to Safdarjung Hospital on Wednesday for advanced treatment. Doctors confirmed a brain haemorrhage, and despite efforts, he passed away on Saturday, hospital officials reported. His body will be handed over to his family after a postmortem, with last rites scheduled for Sunday in Borivali, near Padgha.
A notorious figure in India’s counter-terrorism landscape, Nachan first gained attention in the 1990s for his role in SIMI, banned in 2001 for anti-national activities. He was convicted in 2016 for orchestrating the 2002–03 Mumbai bombings at Mumbai Central, Vile Parle, and Mulund stations, which killed 13 and injured over 100. Sentenced to 10 years under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) for illegal arms possession, he completed his term in 2017. Nachan’s alleged ties to ISIS emerged later, culminating in his 2023 NIA arrest for leading the Delhi-Padgha ISIS terror module, accused of radicalizing youth, fundraising, and fabricating explosives for planned attacks.
The NIA described Nachan as a “habitual offender” and self-styled “Amir-e-Hind” for ISIS in India, chargesheeted in June 2024 alongside 16 others under anti-terror laws. Authorities alleged he attempted to establish a parallel Islamic rule in a Maharashtra village, dubbed “Al Sham,” and maintained ties with ISIS operatives in Afghanistan and Pakistan. His death has led to the abatement of all criminal proceedings against him, per judicial protocol.
Nachan’s passing marks a significant development in India’s fight against homegrown extremism, though law enforcement remains vigilant about ISIS-linked networks. Social media reactions on platforms like X reflected mixed sentiments, with some posts noting “one less terrorist on the planet,” while others highlighted his long history of radical activities. The NIA continues to investigate the broader Delhi-Padgha module to prevent further threats.
