Gujarat ATS arrests 4 in Pan-India crackdown on Al-Qaeda social media cell promoting jihad
In a meticulously coordinated inter-state operation, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested four individuals accused of running a covert digital propaganda network for the banned terror outfit Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). The accused had been using multiple Instagram accounts to incite jihad, promote religious extremism, and provoke violence against India’s democratic institutions under the guise of ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’.The four arrested individuals have been identified as:Mohammad Faiq, son of Mohammad Rizwan, resident of Chandni Chowk, DelhiZeeshan Ali, son of Asif Ali, resident of Sector 63, Noida, Uttar Pradesh Fardeen Shaikh, son of Mohammad Rais, resident of Fatehwadi, AhmedabadSefullah Qureshi, son of Mohammad Rafiq, resident of Modasa, Aravalli districtSocial media cell bustedActing on intelligence received on June 10, 2025, Deputy Superintendent of Police Harsh Upadhyay of the Gujarat ATS was alerted to several Instagram accounts—including @shariat\_ya\_shahadat, @14rdeen\_03, @\_mujahideen1, @mujahideen.3, and @sefullah\_muja\_hid313—being used to promote extremist ideology and AQIS propaganda. The accounts were reportedly sharing incendiary content calling for violence against non-believers, glorifying armed jihad, and advocating the establishment of a Sharia-based Caliphate in India.Following the tip-off, began surveillance and technical analysis of the identified accounts. The users were traced through a mix of digital tracking and human intelligence.Raids across four citiesA coordinated operation was launched on July 21 and 22 with assistance from central agencies, including the Delhi Police Special Cell, Uttar Pradesh ATS, and local police units. Four teams were dispatched to Delhi, Noida, Modasa, and Ahmedabad. All four suspects were detained and brought to the Gujarat ATS headquarters for questioning.What ATS recovered from the accusedFrom Fardeen Shaikh: AQIS literature linked to ‘Operation Sindoor’ and a sword, which he was seen brandishing in a video while chanting, “This was the only thing missing, now it's complete. Allahu Akbar."From all four: Mobile phones containing videos and digital material inciting jihad, glorifying Ghazwa-e-Hind, and calling for violence against democratic institutions.Investigators confirmed that the accused were not operating in isolation but were part of a coordinated digital effort. They used Instagram to circulate jihadi propaganda, issue fatwas inciting violence, and call for the overthrow of the government. Notably, Mohammad Faiq was found collaborating with Pakistan-based Instagram users like @gujjar\_sab.111 and @M\_Salauddin\_Siddiqui1360, signalling cross-border digital collusion.Wider digital trailThe Gujarat ATS has now sought technical data and user histories from 62 accounts believed to be linked to the four accused. Further scrutiny is underway on 25 high-risk social media profiles, suspected of engaging in similar activities.Legal proceedings under UAPABased on the evidence, Gujarat ATS has registered an FIR under multiple sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, and under sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. All four accused have been remanded to 14 days of police custody for further interrogation. Officials have stated that more arrests may follow as the network’s full scope is uncovered.
In a meticulously coordinated inter-state operation, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested four individuals accused of running a covert digital propaganda network for the banned terror outfit Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). The accused had been using multiple Instagram accounts to incite jihad, promote religious extremism, and provoke violence against India’s democratic institutions under the guise of ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’.
The four arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Mohammad Faiq, son of Mohammad Rizwan, resident of Chandni Chowk, Delhi
- Zeeshan Ali, son of Asif Ali, resident of Sector 63, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Fardeen Shaikh, son of Mohammad Rais, resident of Fatehwadi, Ahmedabad
- Sefullah Qureshi, son of Mohammad Rafiq, resident of Modasa, Aravalli district
Social media cell busted
Acting on intelligence received on June 10, 2025, Deputy Superintendent of Police Harsh Upadhyay of the Gujarat ATS was alerted to several Instagram accounts—including @shariat\_ya\_shahadat, @14rdeen\_03, @\_mujahideen1, @mujahideen.3, and @sefullah\_muja\_hid313—being used to promote extremist ideology and AQIS propaganda. The accounts were reportedly sharing incendiary content calling for violence against non-believers, glorifying armed jihad, and advocating the establishment of a Sharia-based Caliphate in India.
Following the tip-off, began surveillance and technical analysis of the identified accounts. The users were traced through a mix of digital tracking and human intelligence.
Raids across four cities
A coordinated operation was launched on July 21 and 22 with assistance from central agencies, including the Delhi Police Special Cell, Uttar Pradesh ATS, and local police units. Four teams were dispatched to Delhi, Noida, Modasa, and Ahmedabad. All four suspects were detained and brought to the Gujarat ATS headquarters for questioning.
What ATS recovered from the accused
From Fardeen Shaikh: AQIS literature linked to ‘Operation Sindoor’ and a sword, which he was seen brandishing in a video while chanting, “This was the only thing missing, now it's complete. Allahu Akbar."
From all four: Mobile phones containing videos and digital material inciting jihad, glorifying Ghazwa-e-Hind, and calling for violence against democratic institutions.
Investigators confirmed that the accused were not operating in isolation but were part of a coordinated digital effort. They used Instagram to circulate jihadi propaganda, issue fatwas inciting violence, and call for the overthrow of the government. Notably, Mohammad Faiq was found collaborating with Pakistan-based Instagram users like @gujjar\_sab.111 and @M\_Salauddin\_Siddiqui1360, signalling cross-border digital collusion.
Wider digital trail
The Gujarat ATS has now sought technical data and user histories from 62 accounts believed to be linked to the four accused. Further scrutiny is underway on 25 high-risk social media profiles, suspected of engaging in similar activities.
Legal proceedings under UAPA
Based on the evidence, Gujarat ATS has registered an FIR under multiple sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, and under sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
All four accused have been remanded to 14 days of police custody for further interrogation. Officials have stated that more arrests may follow as the network’s full scope is uncovered.
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