India monitoring emerging security risks amid reports of Turkey-based radicalisation and Pakistan-linked terror networks
India’s security establishment is closely monitoring the emerging strategic alignment between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, with officials increasingly concerned about its possible security implications. While the alliance is primarily being discussed in geopolitical and military terms, intelligence agencies are also examining whether extremist networks linked to Pakistan-based terror groups could benefit from closer coordination among these countries.
The concern has gained attention following investigations into the November 10, 2025 suicide bombing near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station. According to investigative findings, the suicide bomber Umar Un Nabi and his associate Muzammil Shakil had travelled to Ankara in 2022, where they allegedly came into contact with handlers associated with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH). The attack claimed the lives of at least 15 people and left around 20 others injured.
Turkey link under scrutiny
Security officials are particularly focused on the alleged role of Turkey-based operatives in the radicalisation and training of individuals linked to terror activities targeting India. Investigators believe that overseas travel and online extremist networks may have played a role in facilitating contact between suspects and terrorist handlers.
Concerns regarding Turkey’s role are not limited to the Delhi case. In August 2022, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced the detention of a Central Asian national who had allegedly been recruited by an Islamic State leader based in Turkey to carry out a suicide attack in India. Russian authorities stated that the individual was first radicalised online and later received suicide bombing training in Istanbul from an unidentified IS representative.
Although Indian agencies have not publicly disclosed operational details, the reported Turkey connection has added another layer to the security assessment surrounding cross-border terror networks.
Pakistan-based terror groups remain a key concern
India has long accused Pakistan-based terror organisations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) of planning and supporting attacks against Indian targets. Intelligence assessments have historically pointed to the use of foreign fundraising channels and diaspora networks to finance extremist activities.
One frequently cited example is Mahmoud Ahmed Bahaziq, a Hyderabad-born individual who was designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations in 2008 for allegedly raising funds for LeT from Saudi Arabia. During the early 2000s, Indian security agencies also investigated cases in which individuals were allegedly radicalised through networks operating in Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries.
Analysts believe that if closer political and strategic ties develop among Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, Indian agencies may need to carefully monitor whether such cooperation creates opportunities for fundraising, recruitment or logistical support for extremist organisations.
Historical lessons and future vigilance
Security experts often point to the 1990s, when financial networks linked to Pakistan and Afghanistan contributed to the growth of militant infrastructure in the region. Although the geopolitical environment has changed significantly since then, Indian agencies remain cautious about the possibility of old patterns re-emerging through new international alignments.
It is important to note that no public evidence has established that the Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey alignment is directly supporting terrorist operations against India. However, intelligence agencies routinely assess emerging geopolitical developments for their potential impact on national security.
For Delhi, the Red Fort bombing investigation and reports of overseas radicalisation have reinforced concerns about transnational extremist networks. As regional alliances evolve, India’s counter-terror agencies are expected to strengthen surveillance, intelligence coordination and monitoring of foreign-linked radicalisation channels.
The evolving situation is likely to remain a key area of focus for India’s security agencies, particularly in the context of protecting major urban centres and critical public infrastructure from emerging terrorist threats.