The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on Friday, 17 July announced the arrest of five more suspects in a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)-linked terror module, bringing the total number of arrests to 13. According to the ATS, the group allegedly conducted around eight explosive trials at different locations across Gujarat over nearly three years, attempting to perfect improvised explosive device (IED) techniques.

How the Module Was Uncovered

ATS Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sunil Joshi said the latest arrests followed intensive interrogation of the eight accused detained earlier this month. The case was registered on 2 July at the ATS Police Station under Sections 13, 17, 18, 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Sections 61 and 148 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to the ATS, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Harsh Upadhyay had received intelligence that youths from Banaskantha and Patan districts were in contact with JeM operatives in Pakistan. Investigators alleged the group was translating the banned organisation's radical content into Gujarati and had formed a local outfit called 'Darul Islam Gujarat' as a state-level representation of JeM.

Radicalisation Through Literature and Social Media

Joshi described the module as a local or 'indigenous' network that had allegedly been radicalised over several years through extremist literature and social media, rather than through direct operational instructions from Pakistani handlers.

'Even if everything in the world is going perfectly well, they would still feel that this is their duty, that this obligation has to be carried out,' Joshi said, characterising the alleged mindset of the accused.

He added: 'This local, what you can call an indigenous module... They have been learning by watching social media. They have not been studying these books just recently; this has been going on for two to three years.'

Investigators alleged that since 2023, several accused had been residing at Jamia Abul Hasan Madrasa in Khadiyasan and had been studying bomb-making methods using printed copies of the book 'Akela Mujahid Jihad Kaise Kare (How a Lone Mujahid Should Wage Jihad)' and similar publications allegedly linked to JeM founder Masood Azhar.

Eight Explosive Trials Over Three Years

The ATS alleged that between 2023 and February 2026, the group carried out around eight explosive trials at isolated fields and riverbeds around Khadiyasan, Mehsana and nearby villages. The experiments were reportedly conducted on Fridays or during madrasa holidays when members from different towns could assemble.

According to Joshi, the accused purchased potassium nitrate, sulphur and charcoal through online platforms and local markets, mixed them to prepare gunpowder, and experimented with timer-based and direct ignition systems, pipe welding, and wire quality. 'Practically, they were trying to gain expertise in making explosives,' he said.

Joshi noted the explosive mixture was low-grade and comparable to firecracker gunpowder. 'Sometimes it only burned. Sometimes it burned very rapidly without producing a proper explosion. If packed tightly, there could be a slight blast,' he said, adding that no injuries were recorded during the experiments.

Materials allegedly used in preparing an IED were recovered from accused Mohammad Amin Shera for forensic examination. Investigators also alleged that Shera had delivered jihad-related speeches and sermons.

Pakistan Link and Financial Trail

The ATS reiterated that around ₹3 lakh had been sent by a Pakistani handler identified as Abdullah through a dead-drop near Jalore district in Rajasthan. The money was allegedly used to purchase a vehicle, while chemicals for the explosive experiments were reportedly bought using the accused's own savings.

Searches during the earlier phase of the investigation led to the recovery of a JeM flag, printed copies of books allegedly authored by Masood Azhar, a printed letter addressed to Azhar, and ₹1.30 lakh described as intended for terrorist activities.

Joshi said literature was shared through pen drives rather than online purchases. Investigators were still attempting to determine how the original books entered India. 'Generally, these books are not available on Amazon or such platforms,' officials confirmed.

The Five Newly Arrested Accused

The five suspects arrested in the latest phase were identified as: Bilal Abidbhai Shera, 24, from Chatavada in Patan district; Mohammad Ayyub Kadiwala, 22, of Khadiyasan in Siddhpur, who had studied at Darul Uloom Deoband; Mohammad Ayyubbhai Sunsara alias Mohammad Khali, 20, residing at Darul Uloom Matliwala Madrasa in Bharuch; Shafi Raees Mukhi alias Shafi Chhapi, 21, from Vadgam in Banaskantha; and Mohammad Hasan Hanifbhai Kardiya alias Hasan Haiderpuri, 20, from Patan district.

The ATS alleged that Bilal Shera had supplied Mohammad Amin Shera with a pen drive around three years ago containing speeches, videos, and books linked to Masood Azhar. Joshi confirmed that all 13 accused identified so far had been arrested, and that further mobile phone analysis could lead to additional detentions.

What Investigators Have Not Found

Joshi said the ATS had found no evidence that the five newly arrested accused were in direct contact with Pakistani handlers. He also said investigators had found no evidence of any institutional role played by the madrasas where the accused had studied or stayed. 'So far, we have not found any such role,' he said.

No specific planned target had been identified, and no documentary evidence indicating an intended strike location had been recovered. The ATS described the suspects as 'highly radicalised' but said they were 'still in the process of learning and improving explosive techniques when the investigation disrupted the alleged conspiracy.' The investigation is continuing.