AHMEDABAD: After the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested three persons for allegedly planning pan-India terror attack
s, investigations have revealed chilling details about their movements and communication with Pakistani handlers. Two of the accused had even recced Delhi to find attack targets, ATS sources said.
Police officers on Monday said that the Hyderabad-based doctor, arrested on Saturday, was in possession of a large quantity of castor beans — used to extract ricin, a deadly poison. The officers said he was awaiting instructions from his handler in Pakistan on "how and when to use it".
Investigators also found that two other accused travelled to Kashmir soon after the Pahalgam terror attack to conduct reconnaissance. They have been identified as Azad Suleman Sheikh (20), a tailor from UP's Shamli, and Mohammad Suhail Khan (23), a student from the same state's Lakhimpur Kheri.
The duo allegedly visited sensitive areas in Kashmir to identify possible targets for future strikes.
According to ATS sources, the doctor, identified as Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed (35), procured materials for ricin preparation and was researching its composition. "He had no clue when or how to use the toxin and was waiting for directions from his Pakistani handler," said an ATS officer.
Saiyed, an MBBS graduate from China, was allegedly in touch with an operative named Abu Khadija, linked to the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP).
"The visit of the accused to Kashmir following the Pahalgam attack was part of a planned recce exercise to choose suitable targets," said an officer. Preliminary interrogation indicates that the trio was radicalised online and received guidance from Pakistani operatives.
The ATS had seized two Glock pistols, one Beretta pistol, and 30 live cartridges from Saiyed, along with 4 litres of castor oil. The accused also allegedly got arms via drones from Pakistan.