Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested five people from Patan district as part of an ongoing investigation into a ‘JeM’ terror module. It is another step in India’s efforts to clean up terror networks and stop radicalisation in the country.
The arrests were the result of a large-scale intelligence-based operation, officials said. The suspects are believed to have been in touch with people belonging to the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, which has been behind several major terrorist attacks in India over the years.
Gujarat ATS’s joint raids were conducted at various locations in Patan district based on credible intelligence inputs. During the searches, investigators found electronic devices, mobile phones, digital storage equipment, and documents that may be crucial to the existence of the group and possible links to it.
The accused are being investigated to determine if they were involved in recruitment efforts, online radicalisation, fundraising, or planning activities related to the terror organisation. Digital forensic experts will be combing the seized devices and looking for any additional suspects.
The investigation is still in its early stages, and more arrests are still possible, officials said. Security agencies are also collaborating with central intelligence agencies as well as state police units to trace the network and verify whether the suspects had links beyond Gujarat.
India, the United Nations, and others have designated Jaish-e-Mohammed a terrorist group. The group is associated with high-profile terror attacks like the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing. Any alleged activity related to the group is considered a national security threat because of its history.
Counter-terrorism experts say today’s terror investigations are focused on digital communication, encrypted messaging systems, and online propaganda. Security agencies have improved their ability to detect and disrupt such networks before they can attack.
In recent years, Gujarat ATS has been taking a proactive role in several counter-terrorism operations and has arrested terrorists involved in extremist activities and terrorism financing. These are part of a national approach to fight radicalisation and eradicate sleeper cells in different states.
People should be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement if anything suspicious is going on, officials said.
Patan-based arrests also demonstrate that Indian security forces are still working for national security through intelligence-based means. The investigation will bring a deeper understanding of the terror module and prevent potential dangers before they are able to take place, experts predict.
