Indian media reported that Bengaluru police have detained a 25-year-old man from West Bengal over alleged links with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and an alleged plan to travel to Afghanistan.
NDTV reported on Saturday, August 15, 2026, that Asafool Mallik was detained in the Jigani area of Bengaluru following alleged suspicious online activity and suspected contacts with a person believed by police to be associated with the TTP.
Police said Mallik, a native of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, had been working as a security guard at Tata Advanced Limited in Bengaluru’s Jigani Industrial Area since December 2025. According to police, they received information about his alleged activities while conducting patrols in the Bommasandra Industrial Area.
Investigators allege that Mallik established contact through Facebook with a person identified as Imran Haider from Afghanistan, who police believe has links to the TTP. Police said Mallik allegedly sought Haider’s assistance in travelling to Afghanistan and had applied for a visa.
According to police, Mallik told investigators that he had considered travelling to Afghanistan because of his anger over what he believed were alleged atrocities by the Pakistani military against Muslims, including attacks on mosques and civilians. He also allegedly expressed anger over Pakistan’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Police further alleged that Mallik was being encouraged to retaliate if Muslims faced difficulties in India. However, investigators said he later abandoned his reported plan to travel to Afghanistan because of financial difficulties and responsibilities toward his family.
Police said a subsequent examination of Mallik’s mobile phone allegedly uncovered chats, voice calls and audio conversations between him and Haider. Investigators are examining the material to determine the extent and nature of the alleged relationship.
Police also reportedly found an AI-generated image of Mallik depicting himself as a mujahideen fighter. The image and the alleged online communications are among the material being examined as part of the investigation.
Authorities have not publicly established that Mallik carried out any attack, and the allegations against him remain subject to investigation and due process. The reported links to the TTP and plans to travel to Afghanistan are based on police claims cited by NDTV.
The case comes amid heightened security concerns in India over online radicalisation and alleged links between individuals in India and militant networks operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The TTP is a Pakistan-based militant group that has carried out attacks against Pakistani security forces and civilians and has maintained networks and contacts in the wider region.
