Ahmedabad, July 4: The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested eight individuals associated with Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in a major counter-terror operation spanning Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
According to officials, seven suspects were apprehended from Banaskantha, Patan, and Navsari districts of Gujarat, while one was arrested in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. The accused were allegedly attempting to establish an active terror network in Gujarat with direct links to Pakistani handlers.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Ahmed Abdullah Gajiwala (19), Mudassir Abdullah Ghaziwala (22), Ibrahim Mohammad Husen Ghagha (30), Zakariya Durani Mohammad Ammar Ghagha (21), Mufti Faujan Ismail Dauwa (40), Mohammad Amin Shera (21), Mohammad Abdul Rahman Savdi (22), and Bilal Durani Mohammad Ammar Ghagha (18).
Investigations revealed that the group received approximately ₹3 lakh from Pakistani handlers Abdullah and Mohammad Umar to build infrastructure, including the purchase of a second-hand vehicle. They were also translating extremist literature, including Masood Azhar’s ‘Dars-e-Jihad,’ into Gujarati to radicalize local youth.
The ATS recovered jihadi books, speeches, videos, JeM flags, and letters addressed to JeM chief Masood Azhar during raids. The accused were booked under multiple sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for conspiracy, funding, membership, and waging war against India.
Officials stated that the arrests highlight JeM’s attempts to expand its network beyond Jammu and Kashmir into western India, with a focus on recruiting young operatives. The case has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further probe.
