The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has said that it has arrested four men suspected of having links to an Al-Qaeda module involved in radicalising youth and promoting jihadist ideology through social media and encrypted apps.
The accused — Mohammad Faiq Rizwan (Delhi), Mohammad Fardeen Rais (Ahmedabad), Saifullah Qureshi Rafiq (Modasa, Gujarat), and Zeeshan Ali Asif Ali (Noida) — operated a covert digital network spreading extremist literature and anti-national propaganda online, according to the ATS.
According to ATS DIG Sunil Joshi, the operation began after a tip-off on June 10 led to surveillance of five suspicious Instagram accounts, including “Mujahideen 1” and “Mujahideen 3,” which were found to be promoting pro-Al-Qaeda and anti-democracy content. Digital forensics traced these accounts back to the arrested men.
The ATS said it seized a sword and digital evidence from one accused in Fatehwadi and discovered links between Delhi-based suspects and contacts in Pakistan. The men reportedly used auto-deleting apps to communicate and avoid detection.
According to the ATS, one accused, Zeeshan Ali Asif Ali, was found posting speeches of a deceased terrorist named Umar, who was killed in Afghanistan. These messages, in English and Urdu, glorified jihad and aimed to spread Sharia law in India.
The probe also uncovered content related to “Operation Sindoor,” noted for its explicit anti-India rhetoric, the ATS said.
Authorities believe that the accused have been radicalised through encrypted channels and extremist social media groups. Their activities and monitoring of movements within Gujarat raised suspicion among ATS officials.
A case has been registered under multiple sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023. The four men have been remanded to 14 days of custody as the investigation continues.
Officials say the probe is ongoing, with further suspects and digital evidence under scrutiny.
