ATS arrests Mahim man, 33, on charge of links to Jaish-e-Mohammed

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Mumbai has arrested Mohammad Hasan Abu Sarmad Akhtar, 33, in Mahim on the allegation that he has links with Jaish-e-Mohammed. The arrest has caused a stir in Mumbai.

The ATS Kalachowki unit picked up the accused from the Laxmi Building area near Mahim Metro station. The unit laid a trap on the basis of secret information. The action is being seen as a major one in the area.

According to the information available, the accused sold perfume and was also a bike rider. It is being said that he was spreading poisonous ideas under cover of this work. His links with the terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed have come to light. The ATS is now probing whether he was active in anti-national activities.

The ATS claims that provocative posts and messages supporting jihad were found on the accused's mobile phone. Audio clips of speeches by Masood Azhar, chief of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, were also found on his phone. He is also accused of making an objectionable comment on a news report about security lapses during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mumbai.

The accused is also suspected of inciting Muslims to take up arms through social media posts. He is said to have run a Telegram group in which audio recordings of Masood Azhar's speeches had been uploaded.

The ATS is investigating his contacts with Pakistani intelligence agencies and his online activities. A case has been registered against him under Section 196(1) of the BNS. Other suspected contacts are also being questioned. Investigators are likely to get important information in further questioning.