Five more held in Gujarat Jaish-e-Mohammed terror module case, arrests rise to 13

Five more individuals suspected of being part of a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror module were arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), bringing the total number of accused in the case to 13, authorities announced on Friday. The new arrests followed intelligence gathered during the police remand period of the initial eight detainees, who were apprehended on July 3 in coordinated operations across Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The case was initially registered at the Jahangirpuri police station, prompting the formation of a dedicated task force aimed at identifying and apprehending the alleged perpetrators. The ATS stated that the eight originally detained were placed under 14-day police remand for further interrogation. During this time, additional information emerged leading to the arrest of five more suspects on July 15. These individuals, Bilal Abidbhai Shera, Mohammad Ayyub Kadiwala, Mohammad Ayyubbhai Sunsara, Shafi Raees Mukhi, and Mohammad Hasan Hanifbhai Kardiya, were taken into custody after extensive questioning of multiple suspects and witnesses conducted by joint teams involving Gujarat and Rajasthan police. Investigations revealed that some of the accused had been living at the Jamia Abul Hasan Madrasa in Khadiyasan, Patan, where they reportedly learned techniques related to the manufacture of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and bomb detonation systems since 2023. Between 2023 and early 2026, the group allegedly attempted to execute attacks using various explosive timer mechanisms on eight separate occasions. Officials noted that the accused obtained necessary raw materials for producing gunpowder via both online platforms and local markets, while components for IEDs were discovered with Mohammad Amin Shera for forensic analysis. One of the recently arrested individuals was found to possess advanced expertise in explosives, with evidence suggesting he was close to assembling a functional time bomb. This discovery underscores the seriousness of the threat posed by the group. The ATS also uncovered a JeM flag, printed literature authored by Masood Azhar, a letter directed to him, and approximately ₹1.3 lakh in cash, which investigators believe could have been allocated towards planning and executing terrorist acts. The ATS confirmed that the case was initiated on July 2 after receiving intelligence indicating efforts by JeM members to build a network within Gujarat, encourage recruitment, and plan violent actions. Bilal Shera was implicated in providing a USB drive containing speeches, videos, and writings of JeM leader Masood Azhar to previously detained individual Mohammad Amin Shera, which were later disseminated from various locations. The ongoing investigation continues with the assistance of regional law enforcement agencies, focusing on uncovering further connections and preventing potential threats. The arrests highlight the persistent challenge of counterterrorism efforts in the region, emphasizing the need for sustained vigilance and collaboration among security forces.