The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested eight alleged operatives of the banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). According to the agency, the accused were allegedly working to establish an active network in Gujarat and were planning terror attacks in the state as well as other parts of the country.
ATS officials claimed the accused were acting on behalf of the Pakistan-based terror organisation and were engaged in recruiting members, spreading extremist ideology and building a support structure to facilitate future terror activities. The agency further alleged that the module was in the process of strengthening its operational network and expanding its activities in Gujarat and elsewhere in the country.
According to the ATS, the group’s alleged links with the Pakistan-based organisation, its recruitment activities and the expansion of its network are all part of the ongoing investigation.
Eight Arrested From Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh
According to the ATS, the arrested accused have been identified as Ahmed Gajiwala alias Abu Ubaida (19), Ibrahim Ghagha (30), Mudassir Ghaziwala (22), Zakariya Durani, Mohammad Ahmar Ghagha (21), Mufti Faujan Dauwa (40), Mohammad Amin Palanpuri (21), Mohammad Abdul Savdi (22) and Bilal Durani Ghagha (18).
The accused are residents of Banaskantha, Patan and Navsari in Gujarat, as well as Madhya Pradesh. The ATS said three of them were allegedly associated with religious seminaries in Siddhpur and Chikhli, while another was from a seminary in Madhya Pradesh.
Following the arrests, the ATS registered an FIR under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to waging war against the Government of India and criminal conspiracy.
Letters Reveal Recruitment Efforts
During coordinated searches conducted in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, investigators recovered eight letters allegedly addressed to Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar. In a statement issued on Friday, the ATS said these letters were among the incriminating material seized during the raids and are now being examined to establish the alleged recruitment efforts of the accused, their overseas links and their operational plans.
The letters, which were typed in Urdu, allegedly reveal how some of the accused sought to join the banned outfit, praised its leadership and sought religious guidance on participating in jihad. According to the ATS, the correspondence forms an important part of the evidence collected in the case.
Books, Digital Material and Gujarati Translations Seized
Apart from the letters, investigators also recovered two books authored by Masood Azhar and printed in Pakistan. The ATS also seized 254 digital files containing alleged jihadi literature, speeches, audio recordings, videos and photographs. Investigators further claimed to have recovered Gujarati translations of JeM literature allegedly prepared by Ibrahim Ghagha and Zakariya Ghagha.
According to the ATS, the accused had formed an organisation called Darul Islam Gujarat Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and were allegedly working to expand the outfit’s network in Gujarat by recruiting new members and propagating its ideology.
Letter Praises Masood Azhar
One of the letters, allegedly written by Mohammad Palanpuri, introduces the writer as an Arabic student from Palanpur and describes Masood Azhar as a scholar, author and leader whose speeches and writings had inspired him since 2011. According to the ATS, the letter claims that the writer had received a message stating that the JeM chief wanted him to reach him, but he could not travel because of his madrassa studies.
The letter reportedly seeks prayers for success, requests an opportunity to serve under Azhar’s command and asks whether joining jihad without parental permission was religiously permissible.
Another Letter Expresses Desire for ‘Martyrdom’
Another letter, allegedly written by Zakariya Ghangha, similarly praises Masood Azhar and states that the writer was influenced by his speeches, books and life story. According to the ATS, the letter expresses a desire to dedicate his life to Islam and seeks prayers to attain “martyrdom” in “Ghazwa-e-Hind.”
The letter also apologises for being unable to travel because of studies, expresses hope of meeting Azhar in the future and asks whether parental permission was necessary to participate in jihad or even undertake preparatory activities. The ATS said these letters formed an important part of the evidence recovered during the investigation.
ATS Alleges Contact With Pakistan-Based Handlers
The investigating agency further alleged that the group was in contact with Pakistan-based handlers identified as Abdullah and Mohammad Umar. According to the ATS, one of the accused had received around Rs 3 lakh to further the alleged conspiracy, and part of the money was used to purchase a second-hand car.
The letters allegedly contained repeated admiration for Masood Azhar, references to his speeches and writings, requests to be accepted into the organisation and questions on religious issues related to joining jihad, including whether parental permission was required before participating in or preparing for such activities.
Investigation Continues
Officials said further investigation is underway to determine the group’s contacts, funding sources, recruitment efforts and whether the alleged module was linked to a wider terror conspiracy. According to the Gujarat ATS, the seized letters, books, digital material and financial trail are expected to play an important role in the ongoing investigation into the alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed network operating in Gujarat.
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