News DeskMale’, Maldives – A joint operation by the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) resulted in the arrest of three individuals during raids conducted late Monday night and into the early hours of Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Described as a national security-related effort, the operation was announced via a Facebook post by MPS shortly after the arrests, though details remain sparse.
Unverified social media claims have since escalated concerns, alleging a thwarted terrorist plot involving drones, explosives, and planned attacks on resorts and the airport.
The authorities confirmed that the three suspects are in custody, with searches ongoing at locations tied to them following the overnight raids. One individual was apprehended inside a pickup truck near Republic Square in Male’, while the locations of the other two arrests have not been disclosed. In their early-morning statement, officials noted that updates would be shared “to the extent possible,” hinting at the operation’s sensitivity.
Social media posts on platforms like Facebook and X have painted a dramatic picture, alleging a sophisticated terror scheme uncovered during the raids. Among the unverified claims are the discovery of a modified drone intended to bomb a resort and Velana International Airport, and 20 kilograms of gunpowder previously found on Ukulhas, a tourist island, but kept under wraps due to its tourism status. Further posts suggest terrorists tested improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at sea using a fishing vessel linked to Ukulhas and Maduveri, and that ammonium nitrate—a key explosive component—slipped into Male’ undetected by Maldives Customs.
The investigation reportedly hit a snag due to a leak to MP Mohamed Ismail (PNC), a member of the Majlis’ 241 National Security Committee. Social media sources allege Ismail’s relative, Hoarafushi Alanaasige Mohamed Thasneem, was among those arrested last night. Described as wearing a blue t-shirt in photos, Thasneem is said to be the brother of Nahula (wife of prominent figure Qasim) and a former transport minister in the Solh administration, and Saniyaa, a PNC Hulhumalé Women’s Committee member.
Another suspect, allegedly an explosives expert in a red t-shirt, is linked to searches at Vinares flats in Male’. The third individual’s identity remains unclear, though posts suggest all three are focal points of the probe.
Unconfirmed reports claim SWAT teams and MNDF conducting surveillance in the Male’ area, with some tools and IED-related materials seized during the raids. However, critical items are reportedly still missing, allegedly due to the leak to MP Ismail, which hampered efforts to trace the smuggling, movement, and storage of the materials. Posts further allege the individuals planned to strike resorts in the Male’ area and the airport using the drone, prompting the government to consider raising the airport threat level and expanding operations to prevent an attack akin to the 2019 Easter bombings in Sri Lanka.
MP Mohamed Ismail’s involvement has drawn scrutiny. Social media notes he recently joined the 241 Committee despite MNDF allegedly flagging him as a security risk—a warning reportedly ignored. This has sparked questions about oversight, though no official response has addressed these claims.
The Maldives, a tourism-driven nation, has faced security threats before, including the 2021 bombing of former President Mohamed Nasheed and a 2017 Islamic State-linked plot. While authorities have not confirmed a hardline religious link to last night’s raids, the social media narrative suggests a coordinated threat to the country’s economic backbone—its resorts and airport.
As of 1:15 PM MVT on March 11, 2025, neither MPS nor MNDF has substantiated the social media allegations.
