Gujarat ATS Arrests Eight Alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed Operatives for Attempting to Build Terror Network Across State

The Gujarat ATS booked the accused under Sections 13, 17, 18, 38, and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. They have also been charged under Sections 148 and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, as authorities intensified action against attempts to expand the operational presence of the banned organisation within the state.

Officials stated that all eight accused were members of the prohibited terrorist organisation and were allegedly working on its behalf to create an active network in Gujarat to facilitate and strengthen its terrorist operations.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Ahmed Abdullah Gajiwala alias Abu Ubaida, 19, a resident of Bhagal in Palanpur city of Banaskantha district; Ibrahim Mohammad Husen Ghagha alias Abu Hamza, 30, also from Bhagal; Mudassir Abdullah Ghaziwala alias Abu Aya, 22, another resident of Bhagal; Zakariya Durani Mohammad Ammar Ghagha alias Ibn Ammar alias Zakariya Palanpuri, 21, associated with Jamia Abul Hasan Madrasa in Khadiyasana, Siddhpur, Patan district; Mufti Faujan Ismail Dauwa alias Mufti Sahab, 40, from the same madrasa; Mohammad Amin Shera alias Amin Palanpuri, 21, also linked to the institution; Mohammad Abdul Rahman Savdi alias Mohammad Palanpuri alias Abu Unisa, 22, associated with Jamia Rahmaniya Khambhiya in Ambheta, Chikhli, Navsari district; and Bilal Durani Mohammad Ammar Ghagha alias Abu Dujana, Abu Sufiyan, Abu Zundal and Umar bin Khattab, 18, a resident of Warsi Nagar in Dewas city, Madhya Pradesh.

The latest operation marks another significant development in a series of counter-terror investigations conducted by the Gujarat ATS in recent years. In January this year, the Gujarat ATS, in coordination with the Navsari Police, arrested a 22-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh in Navsari after alleging that he was in possession of extremist literature, a pistol, and ammunition. Investigators further alleged that he had maintained contact with an individual linked to extremist propaganda.

According to investigators, digital material recovered during that operation allegedly contained content supporting banned terrorist organisations, including Jaish-e-Mohammed. That case was also registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the Arms Act.

The latest arrests underscore the continued efforts of security agencies to dismantle suspected terrorist networks and prevent the expansion of banned organisations within the country. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to examine the activities, contacts, and alleged operational plans of the accused.