Gujarat ATS busts Al-Qaeda module, arrests 4

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on Wednesday claimed to have dismantled a terror module linked to Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), a banned terrorist organisation. Four individuals were arrested from various locations across multiple states during the coordinated operation, including two residents of Gujarat.

According to an official release, the arrested men were allegedly involved in promoting AQIS’s radical ideology and disseminating jihadi propaganda through social media. They had been sharing inflammatory content—including videos advocating violence and armed rebellion—with the intent to overthrow India’s democratic system and impose ‘sharia’ (Islamic law), reported PTI.

Acting on a tip-off about Instagram accounts spreading extremist messages, the ATS tracked five such accounts and apprehended four individuals operating them. The accused were identified as Mohammad Faiq from Delhi, Zeeshan Ali from Noida (Uttar Pradesh), Saifulla Qureshi from Modasa in Arvalli district, and Mohammad Fardeen Shaikh from Ahmedabad.

“These men connected via social media platforms. Faiq, a resident of Delhi, was found to be in contact with a Pakistani national on Instagram and discussed ways to propagate jihadi activities in India,” said DIG Sunil Joshi of Gujarat ATS.

During a search at Fardeen Shaikh’s residence in Ahmedabad’s Fatehwadi area, officers recovered a sword and literature promoting jihad in retaliation for India’s 'Operation Sindoor' against Pakistan in May, the DIG added.

The ATS said the group's objective was to radicalise youth, incite violence, and foster communal disharmony in pursuit of establishing an ‘Islamic Khilafat’ in India. The accused allegedly shared content glorifying AQIS operatives, including a video of Asim Umar, an Indian AQIS leader killed in Afghanistan in 2019.

"Their actions amount to a planned conspiracy to incite terrorism, promote armed insurrection, and undermine the nation’s sovereignty and democratic structure," said DIG Joshi.

The four have been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and sections 113 (terrorist act), 152 (acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India), and 196 (promoting enmity between different groups) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

In a similar case last year, four Bangladeshi nationals were arrested in Ahmedabad for suspected links to AQIS, which is the South Asian affiliate of the global terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda.