Ahmedabad (Gujarat), July 23 (ANI): The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested four suspected terrorists allegedly linked to Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) for using Instagram to incite jihad, spread anti-India propaganda, and promote terrorism, officials said Wednesday.
The arrests were made on July 21 and 22 from Ahmedabad, Modasa, Delhi, and Noida after the ATS acted on a tip-off received on June 10 about multiple Instagram accounts engaged in extremist activity, according to an official release.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Harsh Upadhyay stated that intelligence revealed these Instagram accounts were spreading inflammatory content and AQIS propaganda, calling for violence against non-believers and Indian democratic institutions.
The accused were identified as Mohd Faiq from Delhi, Mohd Fardeen from Ahmedabad, Sefullah Kureshi from Modasa in Aravalli district, and Zeeshan Ali from Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
Mohd Faiq, who was apprehended from the Chandni Chowk area of Delhi, had his residence searched by Delhi Police in the presence of his family. His parents are also being questioned for further information.
Officials said the suspects actively shared radical content promoting “Ghazwa-e-Hind,” an ideology advocating the establishment of a Sharia-based caliphate in India, and encouraged armed rebellion against the government, allegedly attempting to attract youth to terrorism.
During searches, ATS recovered AQIS literature, a sword, and videos promoting jihad and violence from the accused. One video from Fardeen Shaikh’s phone showed him brandishing a sword and saying, “This was the only thing missing; now it’s complete. Allahu Akbar.” Similar jihadi videos and fatwas for armed rebellion were reportedly found on the phones of all four.
Investigations also revealed that Faiq was collaborating with Pakistani Instagram handles such as gujjar_sab.111 and M Salauddin Siddiqui 1360, further intensifying the threat, the ATS said.
The coordinated operation was conducted under the supervision of SP K. Siddharth, with support from central agencies, Delhi Police, Delhi Special Cell, and Uttar Pradesh ATS.
The ATS has registered a case under multiple sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 — Sections 13, 18, 38, and 39 — along with Sections 113, 152, 196, and 61 of the Indian Penal Code, 2023.
“All four accused have been granted a 14-day police remand for further investigation,” officials said, adding that probes into 25 additional suspicious accounts are underway, and data from 62 related Instagram profiles is being analyzed.
Investigations are ongoing. (ANI)
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