In a significant counterterrorism operation, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) apprehended four individuals in Ahmedabad on Wednesday for their alleged affiliations with Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), a designated terrorist organization. The arrests were made following actionable intelligence, indicating that the suspects are believed to be part of a larger effort to extend AQIS’s influence throughout India.
Details regarding the suspects and the specifics of any potential threats are anticipated to be revealed later in the day. These arrests have raised alarms about increasing radicalization and recruitment efforts for terrorism across various Indian states.
This incident is part of a broader context of heightened vigilance against AQIS-related activities in the country. In August 2024, a notable AQIS-inspired terror module was disbanded in a well-coordinated operation by the Delhi Police in collaboration with security agencies from Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. That operation culminated in the arrest of 14 individuals allegedly plotting significant terrorist attacks.
The Delhi Police identified Dr. Ishtiyaq from Ranchi, Jharkhand, as the leader of the disbanded module, which sought to establish a so-called “Khilafat.” Reports indicated that this group was involved in rigorous weapons training and radical indoctrination. Six individuals were arrested in a weapons training session in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, while the remaining suspects were taken into custody across Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. During the operation, authorities seized various arms, ammunition, and extremist literature.
In light of the recent arrests in Ahmedabad, the Gujarat ATS is actively exploring any potential connections between the newly detained suspects and the broader ideological network that was neutralized last year. Security agencies are expected to enhance their surveillance and counterterrorism measures across key regions to prevent any resurgence of terrorist activities linked to AQIS and its affiliates.
