Maharashtra ATS arrests 33-year-old man in Mumbai over alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed links

Representational image. File pic

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 33-year-old man suspected of having links with the banned terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) from Mumbai's Mahim area, officials said.

As reported by IANS, the accused arrested has been identified as Mohammad Hasan Abu Sarmad Akhtar. The arrest was made by the Kalachowki unit of the Maharashtra ATS near Mahim Metro station following a tip-off.

Man used to sell perfume as a cover

According to the investigating agency, the accused used his work as a Rapido rider and perfume seller as a cover while propagating radical ideology.

The Maharashtra ATS also alleged that he was attempting to spread communal hatred and anti-national sentiments through various social media platforms.

Investigators also recovered material allegedly linked to such activities from his mobile phone, as per IANS.

Inflammatory speeches by Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar

According to the agency, the accused operated a Telegram group where he allegedly uploaded inflammatory audio speeches by Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar on the Babri Masjid and other issues on June 1.

The ATS also claimed that he was an active member of a Pakistan-backed extremist Telegram channel called 'IBN-e-Qasim'.

Gujarat ATS arrested five accused in July

His arrest comes months after the Gujarat ATS detained five people in July during an investigation into an alleged terror module linked to JeM.

The five accused were identified as Bilal Abidbhai Shera, Mohammad Ayub Kadiwala, Mohammad Palanpuri alias Khali Ayub Sunsara, Shafia Rais Mukhti and Mohammad Hasan Kardia. They were arrested in Khadiyal village in Siddhpur taluka of Gujarat's Patan district.

Officials said that the five suspects came under the scanner during the investigation into eight alleged JeM operatives arrested earlier that month.

Moreover, the accused were produced before Judicial Magistrate R.M. Bhatia in Kadi town of Mehsana district, who remanded them to ATS custody until July 24.

Speaking to the media, Dantani had said that the names of the five accused had emerged during the investigation. He added that the ATS wanted to determine the source of the alleged bomb-making materials, where they had been concealed, and how the accused obtained jihadi literature associated with the banned outfit.

(With inputs from IANS)