| 10 June 2023
In a significant achievement, the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Gujarat Police successfully dismantled an Islamic State (IS) module operating in the coastal town of Porbandar. The operation, led by DIG Deepan Bhadran and SP Sunil Joshi, resulted in the arrest of four individuals, including a woman. Three youths hailing from Srinagar and a woman from Surat were taken into custody during the meticulously planned operation.
The ATS had received credible intelligence suggesting the involvement of the arrested individuals in an ISIS terror module. The authorities swiftly identified and tracked their movements, culminating in the operation to bust the module late on Friday in Porbandar. During the raid, the police discovered a cache of jihadi literature from the three Kashmiri youths. Additionally, they seized banner flags of the ISKP (Islamic State Khorasan Province), as well as incriminating videos and audio clips of Kashmiri youth delivering speeches to the "Ameer ul momineen" (Commander of the Faithful and Leader), all retrieved from their mobile phones.
Further investigations revealed that Sumaira Banu, the woman arrested from Surat, had Islamic literature on her mobile phone and tablet at her residence. Prior to their apprehension, all the accused had been working as laborers in Porbandar and were reportedly slated to assume roles as captains and GPS coordinators on fishing boats. The police also confiscated weapons from the arrested individuals.
It has come to light that the arrested accused had been in contact with terrorist outfits, including the IS, for the past year. Notably, Zubair Mohammad, another person from Kashmir, had intended to travel to Afghanistan with the four apprehended individuals. At present, the police are actively conducting a manhunt to locate and arrest Zubair Mohammad, who is currently absconding.
The successful operation received commendation from Gujarat's Home Minister, Harsh Sanghavi, who congratulated the Gujarat Police for their unwavering efforts in combating terrorism. He emphasized that such crackdowns on terror modules within the state will persist, aligning with the Modi government's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. This operation stands as a testament to the state's commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its citizens.
The ATS' swift and effective action in Porbandar serves as a reminder of the constant threat posed by terrorism and the importance of maintaining robust intelligence networks and law enforcement capabilities. As authorities continue their investigations and work towards apprehending Zubair Mohammad, the operation stands as a significant blow to the activities of terrorist organizations seeking to establish a foothold within India
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