The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has executed a major operation 13 days before the prominent Rath Yatra. On 3rd July (Friday), the authorities carried out a large-scale coordinated operation in both Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, apprehending 8 individuals associated with the proscribed Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
Investigative agencies informed that they were active for the past 6 months and were attempting to activate a JeM network in Gujarat. Three men were taken into custody from Banaskantha, three from Patan and one from Navsari in Gujarat while one from Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas.
They have been identified as Ahmed Abdullah Gajiwala alias Abu Ubaida (19), Ibrahim Mohammad Husen Ghagha alias Abu Hamza (30), Mudassir Abdullah Ghaziwala alias Abu Aya (22), Zakariya Durani Mohammad Ammar Ghagha alias Ibn Ammar alias Zakariya Palanpuri (21), Mufti Faujan Ismail Dauwa alias Mufti Sahab (40), Mohammad Amin Shera alias Amin Palanpuri (21), Mohammad Abdul Rahman Savdi alias Mohammad Palanpuri alias Abu Unisa (22) and Bilal Durani Mohammad Ammar Ghagha alias Abu Dujana alias Abu Sufiyan alias Abu Zundal alias Umar bin Khattab (18).
The ATS squad formed different teams and conducted a joint operation across the aforementioned states leading to the arrests after receiving reliable tip-off regarding the matter. The perpetrators are under interrogation to gather information about the terrorist network, their connections, any potential terror plans and involvement in anti-national activities.
Preliminary reports suggested that security agencies acted before the group could gain a foothold in the state and have now initiated an inquiry to collect further details about the entire network. It is believed that they were trying to facilitate terrorist actions in Gujarat and other parts of the nation.
The Gujarat ATS is rigorously examining the terrorists while legal proceedings are ongoing. The probe is focused on multiple facets, such as the people they interacted with in Gujarat, the measures taken to mobilise the group, the likelihood of a terror module and the possibility of any other terrorist networks functioning behind the scenes.
Sections 13 (punishment for unlawful activities), 17 (punishment for raising funds for terrorist acts), 18 (punishment for conspiracy), 38 (offence relating to membership of a terrorist organisation) and 39 (offence relating to support given to a terrorist organisation) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) have been invoked against them.
They have also been booked under sections 148 and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). ATS authorities stated that section 61 addresses criminal conspiracy, whereas section 148 deals with conspiracy to commit acts punishable under section 145 of the BNS. Section 147 of the BNS deals with waging war, attempting to wage war or aiding and abetting the same against the Indian government.
It is important to highlight that this important development took place merely 13 days prior to the state’s famous Rath Yatra. The period is regarded as particularly sensitive for security forces and the ATS initiated this critical operation against the JeM network. More information is scheduled to emerge as the crucial inquiry proceeds.
