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In a major counter-terror operation, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested three men allegedly plotting terror attacks across India. The accused, Dr Ahmed Mohiuddin Syed, Mohd Suhel, and Azad Suleman Saifi, were apprehended while supplying weapons near the Adalaj Toll Plaza in Gujarat. Officials say the arrests thwarted a major conspiracy aimed at executing large-scale attacks in multiple Indian cities. What we know about the arrests? According to Gujarat ATS DIG Sunil Joshi, the suspects had been under surveillance for nearly a year. The ATS received intelligence that Dr Ahmed Mohiuddin, a 35-year-old from Hyderabad, was involved in terrorist activities and planning to visit Ahmedabad. Acting on this input, the ATS tracked his movements and intercepted him at the Adalaj Toll Plaza. During the operation, the ATS recovered two Glock pistols, one Beretta pistol, 30 live cartridges, and four litres of castor oil, a chemical used in the production of the deadly poison ‘Ricin’. Officials revealed that Dr Mohiuddin, who holds an MBBS degree from China, was attempting to prepare Ricin as part of his terror plan. Links to ISIS DIG Joshi said preliminary investigations show that Dr Mohiuddin was in contact with a Telegram user named Abu Khadeja, believed to be associated with the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP). “He wanted to commit a terrorist activity that would cause massive harm,” Joshi stated, adding that the suspect maintained contact with foreign operatives. The other two accused, Azad Suleman Sheikh and Mohd Suhel Salim Khan, hail from Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur and Shamli districts, respectively. Both had received religious education and were reportedly radicalised. They conducted reconnaissance in crowded areas of Lucknow, Delhi, and Ahmedabad, and their movements were also traced in Kashmir, Joshi added. The investigation revealed that the two suspects from Uttar Pradesh received the weapon consignment from Hanumangarh in Rajasthan, which was later delivered to Kalol, Gujarat. They were subsequently tracked down in Banaskantha district, leading to their arrest. One of the accused has been remanded in custody until 17 November, while the remaining two will be produced in court soon. The ATS continues to investigate possible international links and other associates involved in the plot.
