Mumbai man arrested by ATS over suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed links

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad has arrested a 33-year-old man from central Mumbai over suspected ties to the Pakistan-based terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed, following an operation by counter-terrorism investigators.

Officers detained the suspect, identified as Mohammad Hasan Abu Sarmad Akhtar, on Saturday in Mahim. An examination of his mobile phone uncovered inflammatory social media posts along with audio recordings of Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Masood Azhar. Investigators are also scrutinising his digital footprints to establish whether he had been in direct communication with Pakistani intelligence operatives.

What investigators found

The Kalachowki unit of the Anti-Terrorism Squad registered a formal case against Akhtar under Section 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which penalises acts promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion or language and disrupting public harmony.

Security officials stated that Akhtar's activities came to light during routine digital surveillance of extremist networks online. Officers flagged suspicious activity across several public platforms and monitored a private Telegram channel used to disseminate radical propaganda.

Forensic specialists are now analysing the seized mobile handset to trace the origin of the audio files, retrieve deleted conversations, and identify any financial transactions or contacts linked to handlers across the border.

Broader scrutiny on terror networks

The Mumbai arrest follows sustained surveillance operations by Indian internal security agencies working to neutralise covert attempts by cross-border outfits to rebuild domestic recruitment channels. Security forces have tightened electronic surveillance across major metropolitan transport nodes and messaging applications to detect radicalisation efforts early.

The agency is coordinating with central intelligence wings to determine whether Akhtar operated as an isolated sympathiser or formed part of an active support network within the state. Investigators are currently questioning him regarding his local associates and daily movements across the city.

Earlier crackdowns across western India

The Mahim arrest comes in the wake of similar proactive counter-terror sweeps across western India. In July, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested eight individuals — seven from Gujarat and one from Madhya Pradesh — accused of attempting to set up an active sleeper cell for Jaish-e-Mohammed under the banner of "Darul Islam Gujarat Jaish-e-Mohammed".

In that investigation, officials found that operatives had translated extremist literature from Urdu into Gujarati, maintained communication with Pakistan-based handlers named Abdullah and Mohammad Umar, and sought to recruit local youths across multiple states.

Akhtar remains in police custody as Maharashtra ATS officers continue their interrogation and examine his call records, digital contacts, and cross-border links.