21 April,2026 04:18 PM IST | Gujarat | mid-day online correspondent
The anti-nationals planned to recruit, train, and arm operatives nationwide. Representational Pic
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 22-year-old man from Siddhpur in Patan district and his Mumbai-based associate for allegedly conspiring to carry out anti-India activities and build an extremist network, officials said, adding that further investigations are underway to uncover wider links, ANI reported.
The Gujarat ATS has been monitoring anti-India activities on social media and the internet through technical and human intelligence inputs.
According to ANI, during the surveillance, Police Sub-Inspector A.P. Parmar received specific intelligence that Irfan Kalekhan Pathan, a resident of Siddhpur in Patan district, was allegedly influenced by extremist Islamic ideology.
As per the officials, Pathan, along with his associates, allegedly conspired to establish "Ghazwa-e-Hind" in India by carrying out an armed rebellion against the Government of India and spreading fear.
He was reportedly collecting weapons and preparing to manufacture explosives, the news agency reported.
He was also allegedly attempting to radicalise and recruit individuals, both within India and abroad, and was in the process of building a network.
After verifying the inputs, senior ATS officials were informed, following which a team was constituted under the guidance of Superintendent of Police K. Siddharth and led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Virjeetsinh Parmar.
The accused was detained and brought to the ATS office for preliminary questioning.
According to ANI, during the inquiry, officials said data retrieved from his mobile phone indicated that he was in contact with suspected ISIS-linked individuals and other radical elements through messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram.
Investigators further alleged that the accused, along with his associates, was planning to target political leaders, individuals associated with the RSS, and others, to spread terror and enforce extremist objectives.
The alleged plan included mobilising recruits from different states, training them in handling weapons and making explosives, establishing links with terror outfits, procuring arms from across borders, and arranging funds for terrorist activities, ANI reported.
Based on the findings, an FIR was registered at the ATS Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The accused, identified as Irfan Kalekhan Pathan (22), has been arrested, and further investigation is underway.
Further investigation revealed that Murshid Zahid Akhtar Sheikh, a resident of Sakinaka in Mumbai, was also allegedly involved in the activities along with Pathan.
An ATS team, including PSI Sandeep Chavda, PSI Ashish Bara, PSI M.M. Gadhvi, and PWSI Paresh Vasava, was formed. With assistance from the Maharashtra Police, Sheikh was detained and brought to the ATS office for interrogation.
During questioning, officials said objectionable material was found on Sheikh's mobile phone, along with chats indicating coordination with Pathan in planning alleged anti-national activities. He was subsequently arrested.
According to ANI, both accused have been remanded to police custody for 11 days. Further investigation is underway to identify and take action against others involved in the alleged conspiracy.
(With ANI inputs)
