New Delhi, Nov 10 (NationPress) The Islamic State has been adapting its approach, transitioning from individual attacks to attempts at contaminating water supplies across various regions in India. These alarming developments were uncovered after Gujarat police successfully thwarted a significant plot inspired by the Islamic State, which involved the use of ricin, a highly lethal substance derived from castor seeds.

Ricin, recognized as a powerful naturally occurring toxin, is categorized as a Category B bioterrorism agent and is listed as a Schedule 1 controlled substance under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Authorities in Gujarat have detained Dr. Ahmed Mohiuddin Syed, an MBBS graduate who acquired his education in China before establishing his career in Gujarat. The police reported that he, along with Mohd Suhel and Azad Suleman Saifi from Uttar Pradesh, had aimed to extract ricin for the purpose of contaminating drinking water.

Additionally, they intended to taint the Temple prasad in Lucknow and Delhi, indicating a notable shift in the Islamic State's operational tactics. Initially, the group planned to establish networks within India, but that strategy failed. Subsequently, they encouraged followers to conduct lone wolf attacks, which also proved ineffective.

Intelligence agencies have indicated that the group has been conversing about a change in tactics via online platforms and encrypted messaging groups. Discussions regarding bio-terrorism have been prevalent among major terrorist organizations for some time, and the Islamic State is now looking to advance this dangerous trend. The ambition to utilize ricin underscores the group's evolution.

According to an official, the Islamic State is continuously adapting. Its frequently changing strategies, relying on unconventional methods, intensify the threat. Lone wolf attacks required minimal planning and were nearly impossible to detect, as any individual radicalized online could act.

Monitoring every individual influenced by Islamic State ideology poses a significant challenge, particularly since these individuals often lack formal training and are not connected to any structured terrorist network, making detection exceedingly difficult. The potential use of ricin signifies yet another shift in the Islamic State's strategy, as it can be easily extracted from widely available castor seeds.

A major concern for security agencies is that ricin is not typically associated with terrorism, complicating detection efforts. The arrested suspects had been under surveillance for several months.

During investigations, it was revealed that their objective was to cause significant harm by poisoning public water supplies. Had their plan succeeded, it could have resulted in over 1,000 fatalities.

Law enforcement officials note that while the proposed water contamination scheme was lethal, the Islamic State recognized that such an attack would instigate widespread panic among the populace, adversely affecting mental health and societal stability.

Current investigations are also examining potential connections to Pakistan. These revelations arise amid concerns about Pakistan's support for the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). Intelligence agencies have warned that ISI backing for ISKP could significantly influence operations in India.

Despite the ambitious nature of this plot, experts assert that no terrorist organization has successfully acquired pure ricin to date. Previous attempts have failed, and investigators are looking into the Islamic State's capabilities to secure pure ricin.