Gujarat ATS Foils Al-Qaeda Terror Plot Before Planned Escape

Ahmedabad, Gujarat – In a massive national security breakthrough, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested four operatives affiliated with Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), who were plotting a major terrorist attack in India and planning to flee to an Arab country thereafter.

The suspects—Mohammad Fardeen Mohammad Rais Sheikh from Ahmedabad, Saifullah Qureshi Mohammad Rafiq from Modasa, Zeeshan Ali Asif Ali from Noida, and Mohammad Faiq Mohammad Rizwan from Delhi—were apprehended during synchronized raids in Ahmedabad, Modasa, Delhi, and Noida on July 23 under Operation Sindoor.

Investigators revealed that the four men used Instagram to spread extremist ideology and recruit vulnerable youth. They operated five Instagram accounts—Shariat Ya Shahadat, Fardeen 3, Mujahid 1, Mujahid 3, and Saifullah Mujahid 313—to glorify violence, incite communal hatred, and propagate Al-Qaeda’s radical doctrines.

“This was not just online hate speech. It was a dangerous and coordinated plan to strike India and flee. Their goal was to carry out a high-impact terror attack and immediately escape abroad,” said ATS DIG Sunil Joshi.

Blueprint for Terror, Then Escape

Sources in Gujarat ATS confirmed that the four arrested terrorists were in the final stages of preparing for an attack. They had identified soft civilian targets and were arranging weapons and logistics. Zeeshan Ali, the Noida-based accused, had already planted weapons at a concealed location, while Fardeen Sheikh of Ahmedabad was actively coordinating group communication and travel plans.

Their sinister plot was to execute the attack and then disappear using fake documents, travelling to an undisclosed Arab nation. Their escape plan was uncovered through decrypted chats and call logs shared in more than seven private extremist groups.

“The intent was clear—create panic, destabilize India, and vanish before they could be traced. We’ve caught them just in time,” said a senior ATS officer.

Pakistan Connection Exposed

Further investigation has revealed that Mohammad Faiq from Delhi had been in touch with two individuals in Pakistan. Intelligence agencies believe these foreign handlers were guiding the operatives and possibly financing the operation. Central agencies have joined the probe to identify these Pakistani links and uncover other operatives in the pipeline.

An ATS source said, “There is growing evidence that this was a transnational operation. These weren’t lone wolves—they were part of a broader terror ecosystem with handlers overseas.”

Profiles of the Arrested

Mohammad Fardeen Mohammad Rais Sheikh – Gulmohar Tenement, Fatehwadi, Ahmedabad. Main propagandist and Instagram handler.

Saifullah Qureshi Mohammad Rafiq – Bhoiwada, Modasa. Responsible for indoctrination and social media recruitment.

Zeeshan Ali Asif Ali – Sector 63, Noida. Key in weapons storage and logistics.

Mohammad Faiq Mohammad Rizwan – Faraskhana, Delhi. Contact point for Pakistani operatives.

ATS has seized mobile devices and laptops with encrypted messages, Instagram posts inciting jihad and Sharia law over democracy, audio clips of inflammatory speeches, coordinates of possible targets, and maps and international escape routes

The terrorists were members of closed social media groups with more than 20 members. ATS believes many others may be influenced or directly involved, and a wider crackdown is expected in the coming weeks.

Public Warning and Continued Vigilance

The incident has sent shockwaves across the country, exposing how digital platforms like Instagram are being misused for terror propaganda and operational planning.

“Social media has become a digital warfront. We urge tech companies to be more accountable and collaborate in curbing extremist content,” said ATS DySP Harsh Upadhyay.