AHMEDABAD: Gujarat anti-terrorist squad (ATS) arrested four Sri Lankan men with suspected ties to Islamic State (IS) at Ahmedabad airport late Sunday and alleged that they’re on a mission devised by their Pakistani handlers to carry out a suicide attack in the state. ATS claimed Monday to have confiscated three pistols and 20 bullets from an undisclosed location, where these were hidden prior to their arrival.
Interrogation revealed that they’re followers of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, according to ATS officers, and allegedly planned to target BJP and RSS members as well as anyone involved in “exploiting and mistreating” the minority community.
According to DSP Harsh Upadhyay, police received intelligence on May 18 about IS members from Sri Lanka planning terrorist attacks in India. The suspects were expected to arrive in Ahmedabad on May 18 or May 19.
ATS teams checked flight and train bookings and found four men booked from Colombo to Ahmedabad via Chennai under the same PNR.
ATS teams arrested on arrival Nafran Naufer, 27, Faris Faruq, 35, and Rasdeen Abdul Raheem, 43, all from Colombo, along with Nusrath Ahmed Gani, 33, from Negombo, a city north of the Lankan capital. Among the four, Nusrath had a valid Pakistani visa.
Evidence linking them to IS was found in their possession, including mobile phones with incriminating messages and photos, and a Proton Mail account with geo-coordinates, officers said.
Their Pakistani handler Abu allegedly informed them that the location of the weapons would be shared via Proton Drive and Proton Mail. They were instructed to retrieve the weapons and await further instructions regarding the target and timing of deployment.
ATS officer said a search at the specified location led to the discovery of an IS flag and pistols – Norinco Type 54 models, with ammunition marked “FATA,” likely made in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
The officers said the suspects admitted to being former members of Lankan militant group National Thowheeth Jama’ath (NTJ), banned after the April 2019 Easter bombings. They joined IS in Feb 2024, influenced by Abu, who directed them to carry out attacks in India. They received Rs 4 lakh in Lankan currency for their mission and were willing to become suicide bombers.
Interrogation revealed that they’re followers of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, according to ATS officers, and allegedly planned to target BJP and RSS members as well as anyone involved in “exploiting and mistreating” the minority community.
According to DSP Harsh Upadhyay, police received intelligence on May 18 about IS members from Sri Lanka planning terrorist attacks in India. The suspects were expected to arrive in Ahmedabad on May 18 or May 19.
ATS teams checked flight and train bookings and found four men booked from Colombo to Ahmedabad via Chennai under the same PNR.
ATS teams arrested on arrival Nafran Naufer, 27, Faris Faruq, 35, and Rasdeen Abdul Raheem, 43, all from Colombo, along with Nusrath Ahmed Gani, 33, from Negombo, a city north of the Lankan capital. Among the four, Nusrath had a valid Pakistani visa.
Evidence linking them to IS was found in their possession, including mobile phones with incriminating messages and photos, and a Proton Mail account with geo-coordinates, officers said.
Their Pakistani handler Abu allegedly informed them that the location of the weapons would be shared via Proton Drive and Proton Mail. They were instructed to retrieve the weapons and await further instructions regarding the target and timing of deployment.
ATS officer said a search at the specified location led to the discovery of an IS flag and pistols – Norinco Type 54 models, with ammunition marked “FATA,” likely made in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
The officers said the suspects admitted to being former members of Lankan militant group National Thowheeth Jama’ath (NTJ), banned after the April 2019 Easter bombings. They joined IS in Feb 2024, influenced by Abu, who directed them to carry out attacks in India. They received Rs 4 lakh in Lankan currency for their mission and were willing to become suicide bombers.