The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has apprehended four individuals allegedly involved in a conspiracy to establish a "Mujahideen Army" with the aim of overthrowing the Indian government through violent means and enforcing Sharia law. The arrests were made on Monday, following intelligence inputs suggesting the group's radicalization and activities.

According to the ATS, the accused were influenced by radical Pakistani organizations and were actively holding meetings at various locations to plan their operations. They were also reportedly using social media platforms to disseminate extremist ideologies. The group is accused of collecting funds to procure weapons and planning targeted killings of prominent non-Muslim religious leaders in the near future.

The term "Mujahideen" historically refers to individuals or groups engaged in jihad, often in the context of guerrilla warfare against perceived enemies of Islam. During the Afghan War (1978–92), the Mujahideen fought against the Soviet forces and eventually toppled the Afghan communist government.

The Soviet-Afghan War which took place from December 1979 to February 1989, involved the Soviet Union and the Afghan military against the Afghan mujahideen, who were supported by Pakistan. The majority of the mujahideen's support came from Pakistan, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Iran, and the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. The conflict led to an estimated death toll of one to three million Afghans, with millions seeking refuge in neighboring countries.