Ram Mandir attack plot: NIA-ATS arrest Saharanpur youth from Karnataka
Synopsis
A Saharanpur youth allegedly plotting an attack on the Ayodhya Ram Mandir has been arrested from Karnataka, where he was reportedly living under a false identity as a painter. The NIA-ATS joint operation has unearthed digital evidence, weapons photographs, and possible Pakistan links — raising questions about whether a larger network is involved.
Key Takeaways
Mohammad Sohail of Gangoh, Saharanpur was arrested from Davanagere, Karnataka on 25 June by a joint NIA-ATS team.
He was allegedly plotting to target the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya , according to investigating agencies.
Sohail was reportedly living under a concealed identity, working as a painter in Karnataka.
Photographs of Sohail posing with weapons and other digital evidence have been recovered and sent for forensic examination .
Agencies are probing alleged links to Pakistan and suspicious online groups; a parallel investigation is underway in Uttar Pradesh .
Officials say the full extent of the alleged conspiracy will emerge only after investigations are completed.
Mohammad Sohail, a resident of Gangoh in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district, has been arrested from Davanagere, Karnataka, by a joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for allegedly conspiring to target the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The arrest, carried out on 25 June, follows sustained surveillance and intelligence inputs that pointed to Sohail's alleged involvement in a plot against one of India's most high-profile religious sites.
How the Arrest Unfolded
According to investigating agencies, Sohail had reportedly been living in Davanagere under a concealed identity, working as a painter. Security agencies had placed him under surveillance for a considerable period after intelligence inputs flagged his alleged associations with suspicious organisations and individuals. The joint NIA-ATS operation culminated in his apprehension from the Karnataka city.
Digital Evidence and Weapons Photographs
During the operation, investigators recovered several crucial leads from Sohail and his digital devices. Sources indicate that photographs of Sohail posing with weapons have also surfaced. These images, along with other digital material recovered from his devices, are currently undergoing forensic examination. Agencies said the digital evidence could help map the alleged network he was reportedly part of.
Alleged Pakistan Links Under Probe
Preliminary investigations are probing the accused's alleged links to Pakistan, according to security officials. Investigators believe he was associated with several suspicious online groups and social media platforms. Agencies are working to identify his contacts and determine whether he was operating as part of a larger organised network, rather than as a lone actor.
Parallel Probe in Uttar Pradesh
A parallel investigation into Sohail's contacts and activities in Uttar Pradesh has also been launched. Security agencies are gathering information about his possible network, associates, and financial transactions in Saharanpur and other districts of the state. Officials cautioned that the full extent of the alleged conspiracy will become clear only after the investigation is completed, and that a comprehensive probe into all aspects of the case remains ongoing.
This comes amid heightened security arrangements around the Ram Mandir complex, which has been a focal point for both domestic and cross-border threat assessments since its consecration earlier this year. Investigators have not yet ruled out additional suspects, and agencies are expected to file a formal charge sheet once forensic and field inquiries are concluded.
Point of View
Making early detection difficult. What stands out here is the operational geography — a Saharanpur resident allegedly running a surveillance operation from Karnataka, far from both the target and his home district. The Pakistan angle, if substantiated forensically, would mark another data point in a series of NIA cases alleging ISI-linked targeting of high-profile Hindu religious sites post-consecration. The real test will be whether the charge sheet can establish a concrete operational chain — not just digital associations — or whether this remains, as investigators themselves acknowledge, an ongoing and as-yet incomplete picture.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mohammad Sohail and why was he arrested?
Mohammad Sohail is a resident of Gangoh in Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh. He was arrested by a joint NIA-ATS team from Davanagere, Karnataka, on 25 June for allegedly conspiring to target the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, based on intelligence inputs and sustained surveillance.
Where was Mohammad Sohail found and what was he doing?
Sohail was apprehended from Davanagere in Karnataka. According to reports, he had been living there under a concealed identity and was working as a painter at the time of his arrest.
What evidence has been recovered from Mohammad Sohail?
Investigators have recovered several leads from Sohail and his digital devices, including photographs of him allegedly posing with weapons. All digital evidence is currently undergoing forensic examination by the agencies.
Is there a Pakistan connection in the Ram Mandir plot case?
Preliminary investigations are probing the accused's alleged links to Pakistan, according to security officials. Agencies are attempting to identify his contacts and determine whether he was part of a larger network, though no conclusive findings have been made public yet.
What happens next in the investigation?
A parallel investigation into Sohail's contacts, financial transactions, and associates in Saharanpur and other Uttar Pradesh districts is underway. Officials have stated that the full scope of the alleged conspiracy will become clear only after the comprehensive probe is completed.
