Gujarat ATS arrests eight in alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed plot

In a major counterterrorism operation, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad has arrested eight individuals accused of attempting to establish a network for the banned Pakistan-based terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed. The arrests were made during coordinated raids on Thursday, July 2, 2026, across districts in Gujarat and the neighboring state of Madhya Pradesh.

Officials stated that the suspects were apprehended from locations in Banaskantha, Patan, Navsari, and Mehsana in Gujarat, as well as Dewas in Madhya Pradesh. The operation, which followed intelligence inputs and involved technical surveillance, led to the seizure of digital devices, objectionable literature, and a handmade Jaish-e-Mohammed flag.

According to Gujarat ATS officials, the group was allegedly acting on directions from Pakistan-based handlers, with whom they communicated via social media. The accused are alleged to have been working to recruit local youth, translate terrorist literature into Gujarati, and build an operational module, which they had named "Gujarat Darul Islam." Investigators also reported that one of the accused had met with an individual from Jammu and Kashmir in Vadodara, allegedly at the...