Eight persons, including two teenagers, have been arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) for their alleged links to the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), officials said on Friday (July 3, 2026).

They were arrested from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh in simultaneous operations on Thursday (July 2). ATS officials said they were trying to establish a Jaish network in Gujarat and other parts of the country, and planning terror attacks.

The arrested accused have been identified as Mudassir Ghaziwala, 22; Ibrahim Ghagha, 30; Zakariya Durani Mohammed Ammar Ghagha, 21; Ahmed Gajiwala, 19; Mohammed Abdul Saadi, 22; Mufti Faujan Dauwa, 40; Bilal Durani Ghagha, 18; and Mohammed Amin Palanpur, 21.

“They are residents of Gujarat’s Patan, Navsari and Banaskantha districts, and Dewas district in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh. They are active members of banned terror organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and were actively working on its behalf to set up an active terror network in Gujarat,” an officer told The Hindu.

The accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Officials said over 250 pieces of jihadi literature were recovered from them. Eight letters in Urdu, addressed to JeM founder Masood Azhar, were also found. No weapons were seized.

The officer alleged that the accused were planning terror attacks in Gujarat and other parts of the country. They were also involved in recruiting members, propagating the organisation’s extremist ideology, and creating a support network to carry out both ongoing and future plans, he said.

Investigators said that to execute terrorist acts on behalf of the Jaish in Gujarat, the group received ₹3 lakh with which they bought an old car. They were also instructed to arrange a safe hideout by renting a small house.

Another officer said that they functioned as a close-knit group and carried out activities in coordination. “Their primary role was to provide logistical support and shelter to operational teams whenever directed by their handlers,” he said.

Asked about the source of their alleged radicalisation, the officer said it was a gradual process involving multiple people. “Social media and YouTube also played a significant role. All of them had received madrasa education, and they reached a stage where extremist radicalisation overtook religious teachings,” the officer alleged.

The accused translated radical literature, including books authored by Masood Azhar, into Gujarati to facilitate its wider circulation in the State, officials said.

Three of the accused were associated with religious seminaries in Siddhapur and Chikhli. “We are probing how they got funds, their contacts, and other conspiracy,” they added.

In April, the ATS had apprehended two men for allegedly conspiring to carry out activities prejudicial to national security and for attempting to radicalise youth through online platforms. According to investigators, the duo was allegedly working to build a terror network, promote the ideology of “Ghazwa-e-Hind”, and explore the use of explosive materials, including RDX. Officials claimed they had identified potential targets, including political figures associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and were attempting to recruit young people through social media. The ATS said it had been closely monitoring suspicious online activity.

Published - July 03, 2026 09:11 pm IST