Gujarat ATS on Sunday (November 9) arrested two suspected terrorists from Uttar Pradesh in Banaskantha district. In addition, another terrorist was detained in Ahmedabad. The arrested persons include Azad Suleman Shaikh (20), a resident of Shamli, and Mohammad Sahul (23) from Lakhimpur. The third accused, Ahmed Mohiuddin Syed (35), is originally from Hyderabad.
ATS investigations revealed that Suleman and Sahul had provided weapons to Mohiuddin. Professionally, a doctor, Mohiuddin completed his MBBS from China and was linked to ISIS’s Khorasan module. ATS had been monitoring the trio for several days. The probe confirmed that all three were actively working for ISIS.
Three pistols, 30 cartridges, and a large quantity of chemicals were recovered from them. Their intention was to execute terror attacks in various parts of the country. The accused are believed to be associated with two different modules. The ATS is currently trying to identify the locations they were planning to target.
Know in 3 Points — How the terrorists were caught and what was revealed
1. DSP received an input; Ahmed arrested during checking
ATS DSP S.L. Chaudhary received information that Ahmed Mohiuddin Syed was hiding in Ahmedabad and planning a major attack. The tip-off was verified and found accurate. Under the direction of SP K. Dhasdadhariya, a team was formed, led by DSP Chaudhary.
The team stopped a Ford Figo near Adalaj Toll on the Ahmedabad–Mehsana Highway. During the search, two Glock pistols, one Beretta pistol, 30 live cartridges, and 4 liters of castor oil were recovered from Ahmed. He was arrested on the spot.
2. Mobile data led investigators to the UP module
During interrogation, Ahmed revealed that he had completed his MBBS from China and was conspiring to carry out a terror attack. He had hidden weapons in a deserted cemetery-like location near Kalol. His links with Pakistani nationals also surfaced. He was preparing an explosive device called “Rygin,” for which he had purchased chemicals and equipment.
ATS recovered his mobile data. Based on the new inputs, DSPs K.P. Patel and V.K. Parmar’s team arrested Azad Suleman Shaikh and Mohammad Sahul from Banaskantha.
3. Weapons sent via the Pakistan border; reconnaissance of multiple locations
During questioning, both UP accused confessed that they had brought weapons from Hanumangarh in Rajasthan. They had conducted reconnaissance of several important and sensitive locations in Lucknow, Delhi, and Ahmedabad.
All three were linked to ISIS-KP terrorist Abu Khadija, who supplied them weapons via drones from the Pakistan border.
Cases have been registered against the trio under the Arms Act and several other serious charges. The court has sent Ahmed to police remand till 17 November.
4 Months Ago, 4 Terrorists Had Also Been Caught
Earlier in August, Gujarat ATS had arrested four more terrorists—two from Gujarat, one from Delhi, and one from Noida. They were involved in circulating fake currency and recruiting individuals for terror organisations.
They were using apps whose content auto-deleted. The investigation revealed that they were active for AQIS (Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent) and communicated via suspicious social media platforms.
According to ATS, their ages were between 20–25 years, and they were planning terrorist attacks in India. They had received instructions to target several high-security locations.
All activities were being carried out under the guidance of foreign terrorists. Gujarat ATS and central agencies are now investigating their network, funding, training, and external links layer by layer. More arrests are expected.
