Al-Qaeda in the Sub-Continent (AQIS) has intensified a coordinated push to rebuild operational capabilities — establishing training camps in Afghanistan while simultaneously running a digital radicalisation and recruitment drive targeting Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Kerala, according to security officials. The development, flagged by Intelligence Bureau sources on 14 September 2026, signals a renewed threat calculus for Indian counter-terrorism agencies.

Afghan Camps and Advanced Training

According to intelligence reports, AQIS has constructed eight new bases in Afghanistan over the last three years, following severe losses to its leadership structure. These facilities function as training camps offering instruction in weapons handling, explosives, and — notably — Artificial Intelligence (AI), drone operations, and encryption, according to officials.

An Intelligence Bureau official told reporters that these developments pose a direct security risk not only to India but to Afghanistan itself. The camps represent a qualitative upgrade from earlier iterations, with digital and technology-based warfare skills now embedded in the training curriculum.

This comes amid a parallel escalation by the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), described by the same official as currently backed by the ISI and likely to engage in a fierce rivalry with Al-Qaeda. Analysts warn such inter-group competition can, paradoxically, accelerate operational activity as both organisations seek to demonstrate relevance.

India-Focused Radicalisation Network

Security officials say the AQIS campaign within India has, until recently, focused primarily on digital activity — circulating content calling for armed revolution and Jihad against the Indian state. Uttar Pradesh remains the outfit's most concentrated zone of interest, a linkage that dates to the organisation's founding: AQIS was launched under Maulana Asim Sheikh Umar, a native of Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, whose close associate Mohammad Usman also hails from the same state.

These historical ties have helped AQIS cultivate a grassroots network across the state over the years, officials say. The outfit has also shown sustained interest in the Kashmir issue and has attempted to establish units there, though its primary operational focus has shifted to Uttar Pradesh.

Recent Arrest: UP ATS Detains AQIS Operative in Azamgarh

Last week, the Uttar Pradesh Anti Terrorism Squad (UP ATS) arrested a 19-year-old alleged AQIS operative, identified as Mohammad Nabil, from Azamgarh. He is accused of circulating pro-Jihad content and was reportedly tasked with recruiting as many young people as possible, with a particular focus on individuals in Jammu and Kashmir, according to the UP ATS.

The arrest is seen as indicative of the broader strategy: building a digital network capable of radicalisation and disinformation at scale, rather than staging immediate physical attacks. Officials say the longer-term goal is to create a strong operational base in Afghanistan while using India-based cells for propaganda, recruitment, and ground preparation.

Broader Terror Landscape and Historical Context

Counter-terrorism experts caution that India already faces a layered threat environment. Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Tayiba remain active, while groups such as Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HuJI) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) reportedly operate from Bangladesh. The Islamic State has separately been spreading its ideology in select pockets of the country.

Officials note that Al-Qaeda's ties with Pakistan-sponsored terror organisations are longstanding. During the planning of the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, Ilyas Kashmiri — then head of Al-Qaeda's 313 Brigade — worked closely with David Headley and Lashkar-e-Tayiba operatives. Experts say the Lashkar-e-Tayiba could once again leverage a revived Al-Qaeda network for operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Separately, on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, AQIS released a video featuring Hamza Bin Laden, son of Osama Bin Laden — a move analysts describe as a deliberate attempt to install a cult figure to boost recruitment.

What Comes Next

Security agencies say close monitoring of even minor activity by these groups is now essential to national security. With AQIS combining a technology-enabled Afghan training infrastructure and a India-wide digital outreach network, counter-terrorism officials are expected to intensify surveillance and inter-agency coordination in the weeks ahead.