The Gujarat Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) has held a terror suspect allegedly linked to the ideological network of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Al-Qaeda. The accused has been identified as Faizan Shaikh and was held on January 25 in the Charpul area of Navsari. Originally hailing from Dundawala, Narpat Nagar, the accused has been living in Charpul for the past three to four years.
Gujarat ATS officials said the accused had allegedly earmarked the Red Fort in Delhi as a target, prompting heightened security concerns.
“The accused was inspired by the ideology of Maulana Masood Azhar and aligned himself with terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Al-Qaeda. He was illegally procuring weapons and ammunition to execute targeted killings and spread terror and fear,” a senior ATS official said, the Republic TV, reported.
As per the reports, Shaikh illegally had a pistol and six cartridges. These were recovered during the operations. These weapons were reportedly purchased from Rampur in Uttar Pradesh and were of nearly Rs. 30,000. These weapons were reportedly made in India.
Officials said the accused was allegedly plotting targeted killings aimed at spreading fear and causing destabilization.
“He had a clear intent to kill individuals who were speaking against certain groups and ideologies. The objective was to spread terror through selective attacks,” the ATS said.
As per the ATS, the possibilities of online radicalization and Shaikh were reportedly influenced by social media and encrypted messaging platforms.
According to officials, he operated multiple Instagram accounts, including one under the handle “Alfaizan Gaza,” which allegedly contained highly radical and extremist content.
Another Instagram ID was also used to propagate radical ideology.
Several Telegram channels linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Al-Qaeda were found on his devices, some carrying propaganda material associated with Maulana Masood Azhar.
Officials said the accused ran multiple Instagram accounts, one of them under the name “Alfaizan Gaza,” allegedly used to share radical and extremist content. Another account was reportedly used to promote extremist ideology. Authorities also found several Telegram channels linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Al-Qaeda on his devices, including channels carrying propaganda linked to Maulana Masood Azhar.
