Ahmedabad, Jan 27 (NationPress) The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) revealed on Tuesday that they have discovered significant evidence indicating a potential terror conspiracy following the apprehension of a 22-year-old individual from Navsari district. Authorities highlighted instances of online radicalization, possession of firearms, and intentions for targeted assassinations as part of a larger extremist scheme.

The suspect, named Faizan Shaikh, hails from Dundawala village in Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh. He had been living in the Zarakwad area of Navsari for the last four years, working as a tailor.

His arrest was made during a collaborative operation involving the ATS and the Navsari police after the agency received credible intelligence regarding his preparations for violent actions.

As per ATS reports, confidential sources indicated that the suspect plotted to attack and eliminate specific individuals to instill fear, and was engaged in activities promoting jihad and separatist views.

Senior officials sanctioned a technical analysis and field investigation, where investigators found a dubious Instagram account allegedly linked to the suspect.

Surveillance teams later corroborated his presence, leading to a coordinated raid that resulted in his arrest.

An ATS representative stated that a digital examination of the suspect’s mobile device uncovered a wealth of extremist content endorsing banned terrorist groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Al Qaeda.

Images of various individuals with annotations were also discovered, which the ATS suspects were related to potential targets.

Additionally, officials retrieved 29 pages of printed literature featuring text in Arabic and Urdu, believed to be aimed at indoctrinating youth into extremist beliefs.

During the operation, a pistol along with six live cartridges were seized from the suspect.

The ATS reported that the accused admitted to purchasing the weapon and ammunition approximately six months prior from an unidentified source in Uttar Pradesh.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Harsh Upadhyay stated that the investigation is currently focused on identifying potential targets and associates. “Right now, we are determining the individuals he aimed to target. The technical analysis will take two to three days to finalize,” Upadhyay informed IANS.

“We are also working on identifying his accomplices, including Mohammed Abu Bakar, through technical analysis. We may coordinate with the Uttar Pradesh Police for further collaboration,” he added.

Authorities noted that the suspect had maintained contact for several months with Mohammed Abu Bakar via messaging platforms and social media, sharing extremist videos, propaganda materials, and audio messages.

The involvement of Abu Bakar and others potentially connected to the alleged conspiracy is under scrutiny.

The suspect has been presented before a court, which has granted the ATS a 12-day remand.

This case has been registered under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the Arms Act, with further investigation ongoing to ascertain the full scope of the suspected network.