Ahmedabad, Jul 17: The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested five more accused from Patan district in connection with its investigation into an alleged terror module linked to the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), taking the total number of arrests in the case to 13.
The newly arrested accused have been identified as Bilal Abid Shera, Mohammed Aiyub Kadiwal alias Mohammed Khadiyasan, Mohammed Shafi Mukhi alias Shafi Chapi, Mohammed Hasan Karadiya alias Hasan Haidarpuri, and Mohammed Aiyub Sunasara alias Mohammed Khali.
The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation that began earlier this month when the ATS apprehended eight alleged JeM associates during coordinated raids across Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
According to investigators, the five accused are allegedly linked to the same terror network, which is under investigation for suspected recruitment activities, communication channels, and possible links with handlers based in Pakistan.
The ATS has alleged that members of the module translated Jaish-e-Mohammed propaganda material into Gujarati and circulated extremist content to radicalise and recruit individuals into the organisation.
During the earlier phase of the probe, investigators seized digital devices, radical literature and other materials that officials believe could help establish the functioning, reach and activities of the alleged terror module.
The newly arrested accused are being interrogated to determine their specific roles in the network, identify local contacts and examine any cross-border links with Pakistan-based handlers.
The investigation is continuing, with the ATS focusing on uncovering the full extent of the alleged terror network and its operations. (Agencies)
