Ahmedabad – The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has apprehended three individuals, including a doctor from Hyderabad, foiling a potential terror plot involving a deadly toxin. The suspects were allegedly conspiring to carry out significant terrorist attacks across India, with links to international terror outfits.
The prime suspect has been identified as Dr. Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed, 35, who holds an MBBS degree from China. He was taken into custody near Adalaj in Gandhinagar on Friday. Officials stated that Saiyed was allegedly in the process of producing ricin, a potent toxin derived from castor beans. Ricin can be fatal if ingested, inhaled or injected and currently lacks a widely available antidote.
The other two suspects are Azad Suleman Sheikh, 20, a tailor from Shamli district in Uttar Pradesh, and Mohammad Suhail Mohammad Saleem Khan, 23, a student from Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh. They are accused of assisting Saiyed with reconnaissance and supplying arms. The two men were arrested from Banaskantha, after analysis of Saiyed's phone.
According to Gujarat ATS DIG Sunil Joshi, the accused were in Gujarat to exchange weapons. Authorities recovered two Glock pistols, a Beretta pistol, 30 live cartridges, and four liters of castor oil from Saiyed. Joshi added that the weapons were allegedly being sent via drone from across the Pakistan border by their handler. Saiyed revealed that he had collected the weapons from an isolated location in Kalol, Gandhinagar district.
The ATS had been monitoring the suspects for nearly a year. The suspects are believed to be part of two different modules. It was indicated that Saiyed was plotting terrorist activities. The accused had recced Lucknow, Delhi and Ahmedabad.
The accused have been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, and the Arms Act. Saiyed has been remanded to ATS custody until November 17. The other two suspects were produced before a court on Sunday. The Gujarat ATS is coordinating with central and state agencies in different states to apprehend more suspects. Authorities are investigating whether the suspects are connected to the ISKP (Islamic State Khorasan Province).
