Who Is Zubair Hangargekar, The Pune Techie Arrested For Alleged Links With Al-Qaeda?

Last Updated:October 28, 2025, 11:56 IST

Described by local residents as a “quiet techie”, Hangargekar worked in the information technology sector and lived in Pune’s Kondhwa area, a hub for many young professionals

Zubair Hangargekar was detained by the ATS late on October 27 after a search operation in Pune. (Getty Image for Representation)

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested Zubair Hangargekar, a 35-year-old software professional from Pune’s Kondhwa area, for alleged links with the banned terror outfit al-Qaeda after weeks of surveillance as part of a wider probe into suspected radicalisation networks operating in Maharashtra.

Hangargekar was detained by the ATS late on October 27 after a search operation in Pune. Officials said “incriminating material meant for the radicalisation of youth" was recovered from his possession. He was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and produced before a special court, which remanded him in police custody until November 4 for further investigation.

Described by local residents as a “quiet techie", Hangargekar worked in the information technology sector and lived in Pune’s Kondhwa area, a hub for many young professionals. According to The Times of India, he had a background in software engineering, though police have not disclosed the company he worked for. Investigators are reportedly trying to determine how he came in contact with extremist content online and whether he acted independently or as part of an organised network.

The ATS told the court that Hangargekar had been under observation for some time due to his alleged online activities and communications with individuals linked to extremist ideologies.

According to a report in The Times of India, investigators seized a large quantity of electronic equipment from Hangargekar’s residence, including 19 laptops and 40 mobile phones, alongside literature allegedly associated with al-Qaeda. Police sources said the seized items were being sent for forensic analysis to determine whether they were used to communicate with overseas operatives or share extremist propaganda.

According to Moneycontrol, Hangargekar’s name surfaced after the ATS conducted raids on October 9 at multiple Pune locations, where banned literature and digital documents were found. Those raids were followed by the registration of an FIR under UAPA, and the latest arrest is being treated as part of the same case.

The ATS has accused Hangargekar of possessing banned extremist literature, attempting to radicalise youth, and being in touch with suspected members of the Al-Qaeda network. Officials told NDTV that the material recovered suggests an effort to spread jihadist ideology through digital platforms.

While the investigation is still in its early stages, Indian Express reported that police are examining whether the accused was part of a broader module planning attacks in Maharashtra or other parts of the country.

The ATS has registered a case under several sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, which deals with terror-related offences. Hangargekar has been remanded in police custody, while investigators continue to examine the digital evidence recovered from his home and devices.

The arrest comes amid a broader effort by Maharashtra’s ATS to curb the spread of online radicalisation. Pune has seen multiple such operations in recent months, focusing on digital cells suspected of sharing extremist content and communicating with foreign handlers.

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