In a major counter-terrorism operation announced on Sunday, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested three individuals, including a Hyderabad-based doctor, for allegedly conspiring to carry out mass-casualty terrorist attacks across India. The suspects were apprehended while supplying sophisticated weapons and were in the advanced stages of producing Ricin, a deadly chemical poison.
The Arrest and Seizure
The operation, based on a year-long surveillance, culminated on Friday (8 November 2025) near the Adalaj Toll Plaza in Gandhinagar. Acting on a confidential input received by ATS Superintendent of Police S L Chaudhary, a team under SP K Siddhartha intercepted a silver Ford Figo car and arrested Dr. Ahmed Mohiuddin Syed (35), son of Abdul Khadar Jeelani.
A search led to the recovery of two Glock pistols, one Beretta pistol, 30 live cartridges, and a canister containing four litres of castor oil – a key ingredient for producing Ricin. Subsequent raids in Banaskantha led to the arrests of Mohammad Suhail Mohammad Salim Khan (23), a student from Lakhimpur Kheri, and Azad Suleman Sheikh (20), a tailor from Shamli, both from Uttar Pradesh.
The Elaborate Terror Plot
Gujarat ATS DIG Sunil Joshi outlined a sophisticated plot with international connections:
ISKP and Pakistani Handlers: Dr. Syed, an MBBS graduate from China, was in contact with an Afghanistan-based ISKP (Islamic State – Khorasan Province) operative known as “Abu Khadeja” on Telegram, as well as other Pakistan-based handlers.
Weapon Smuggling via Drones: The two accused from Uttar Pradesh, described as having received ‘Deeni’ (religious) education and being “radicals,” had travelled to Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, to collect weapons allegedly dropped by drones from Pakistan. Dr. Syed retrieved this cache from a graveyard in Kalol.
Production of Lethal Ricin: DIG Joshi stated that Dr. Syed, using his medical expertise, had initiated the process to prepare Ricin from castor beans, intending to cause “huge harm.”
Reconnaissance for Attacks: The module had conducted reconnaissance in crowded areas of Delhi, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad, with their movements also recorded in Kashmir. The investigation allegedly revealed a plan cause mass casualty.
The accused have been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Arms Act. A court has remanded Dr. Syed to ATS custody until 17 November 2025. The other two accused were produced in court on Sunday.
This bust is part of a series of major operations by the Gujarat ATS this year, following the July arrest of several individuals, including a woman from Bengaluru named Sama Parveen, with alleged links to Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). In that case, documents related to “Operation Sindoor” were recovered. The ATS is now investigating the full extent of this new module’s national and international networks.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
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