Security personnel at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi complex in Ayodhya detained three Kashmiri Muslims on Saturday morning after they were seen offering Namaz inside the high-security temple premises. Security personnel saw them preparing to offer the Islamic prayer inside the Hindu temple premises, and immediately detained them.
According to reports, the group, comprising two men and a woman, entered the temple complex through the D1 gate, dressed in Kashmiri attire. One of the men sat near the Sita Rasoi area, about 200 metres from the main temple, and began performing namaz. However, Security staff posted their spotted this act, stopped him and then handed them over to the local police.
The individual who started to offer namaz has been identified as 55-year-old Abu Ahmed Sheikh, a resident of Shopian district in Jammu and Kashmir. The woman is named Sofia, while the identity of the third youth remains unconfirmed at this stage. Eyewitnesses also said that the trio raised religious slogans when security personnel stopped them.
They were found to be carrying items such as cashews and raisins, raising suspicions as terrorists often carry such dry fruits to survive during terror attacks and long fights with security forces.
Intelligence agencies, local police, and senior administrative officials immediately reached the spot following the incident. The detained persons are currently under interrogation to determine their intentions, travel details, and whether any larger motive or network was involved.
Neither the district administration nor the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has issued an official statement on the matter so far.
The incident has once again highlighted the stringent security measures at the Ram Temple, which sees an average daily footfall of around 1.5 lakh devotees since the consecration of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024. The temple is guarded round-the-clock by the Special Security Force (SSF), comprising approximately 200 personnel drawn from PAC and police units.
In recent months, the site has faced multiple security threats, including bomb threats via social media, phone calls, and WhatsApp messages. Authorities are in the process of establishing a National Security Guard (NSG) hub in Ayodhya, equipped with specialised weapons and anti-drone systems, along with an integrated control centre costing ₹11 crore to better coordinate between police, CRPF, SSF, and intelligence agencies.
The episode occurred just days ahead of the upcoming Makar Sankranti celebrations, which are expected to draw massive crowds to the temple town. Officials said that security remains on high alert to maintain peace and order at the sensitive religious site.
