Maharashtra ATS arrests Mumbai man over alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed ties and possible Pakistan intel links

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad on Saturday apprehended 33-year-old Mohammad Hasan Abu Sarmad Akhtar from Mahim after finding extremist content on his mobile, including posts praising Jaish-e-Mohammed and recordings of its chief Masood Azhar. Police are also examining alleged communications between Akhtar and operatives linked to Pakistan’s intelligence services. He has been formally charged under Section 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita by the Kalachowki unit of the ATS.

This arrest comes weeks after Gujarat’s ATS detained eight individuals accused of building a JeM network in the state, translating propaganda into Gujarati and coordinating with handlers identified as Abdullah and Mohammad Umar. Both operations highlight ongoing concerns about the spread of JeM ideology across India and potential cross-border terrorist collaboration.