Gujarat ATS Arrests 4 with Alleged Links to Al-Qaeda: 3 from Gujarat, 1 from Another State
The accused were reportedly involved in promoting extremist ideology through social media and encrypted communication apps.
Ahmedabad | July 23, 2025: In a major anti-terror operation, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested four individuals with suspected ties to Al-Qaeda. According to officials, three of the accused are from Gujarat, while the fourth hails from another Indian state. All four were reportedly involved in disseminating extremist ideology and were in contact with radical groups via social media and encrypted applications.
The arrests were made following extensive digital surveillance. The accused were found to be actively engaging in online discussions related to Gujarat’s local developments, while promoting Al-Qaeda’s ideology through secret online groups and apps known for auto-deleting messages.
Accused Were Active on Encrypted Platforms, Discussed Gujarat’s Social Climate
According to ATS officials, the suspects had been in touch with foreign handlers through social media platforms and suspect applications. They were found to be highly radicalized and engaged in ideological exchanges within extremist digital circles.
During the investigation, the suspects were observed discussing various socio-political issues in Gujarat, which drew the attention of surveillance teams. Upon gathering sufficient evidence, the ATS conducted a swift operation and apprehended the individuals.
Identities of the Arrested Suspects
The Gujarat ATS has identified the arrested individuals as:
Mohammad Faik Mohammad Rizwan – Resident of Faraskhana, Delhi
Mohammad Fardeen Mohammad Rais – Resident of Fatehwadi, Ahmedabad
Saifullah Qureshi Mohammad Rafiq – Resident of Bhoiwada, Modasa
Zeeshan Ali Asif Ali – Resident of Sector 63, Noida
All four suspects are currently being interrogated. Preliminary findings suggest they were part of radicalized chat groups, spreading content aligned with Al-Qaeda’s global objectives.
