Four ISIS Terrorists Arrested at Ahmedabad Airport: Planned Suicide Attacks Targeting BJP-RSS Members
Today, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) apprehended four ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) terrorists at Ahmedabad Airport. According to available information, these individuals, originally Sri Lankan nationals, were intercepted upon their arrival at the airport based on inputs from the Central Agency. The Gujarat ATS is actively investigating whether these individuals have any connections within Gujarat or other states.
Utilizing Bilingual Assistance to Unravel Terrorist Plans
These terrorists entered Gujarat via air routes, having flown from Chennai Airport to Ahmedabad Airport. Just two weeks ago, the Gujarat ATS received intelligence regarding the potential arrival of terrorists. Consequently, the ATS had deployed surveillance teams at various locations, including railway stations. The apprehended terrorists were using proton mail for communication. Their ability to speak Tamil prompted the ATS to seek bilingual assistance in deciphering their plans.
Heightened Alert at the Airport
On another front, today witnesses the arrival of three IPL teams in Ahmedabad. With qualifiers-1 scheduled for Tuesday and eliminators on Wednesday, these teams are arriving in Ahmedabad for their matches. One of these teams, the Royal Challengers Bangalore, arrived at Ahmedabad Airport at 12:30 PM. However, the presence of terrorists at the airport has led to a heightened state of alert, resembling a high-alert situation.
Suspicious Radar Activity Leads to Game Disruption
According to sources, for quite some time, the Central Agency has been keeping an eye on gold smuggling and other items at the Ahmedabad International Airport through radar surveillance. During this time, a Central Agency team collaborated with Gujarat ATS, sharing several inputs. Subsequently, the Gujarat ATS team was on special alert at Ahmedabad Airport. At this time, a suspicious entry appeared on their radar, leading to interrogation, where a total of four individuals were apprehended.
Why Ahmedabad Airport? Investigating the Incident
Information available suggests that the apprehended individuals, suspected to be members of the terrorist organization ISIS, have been active with the organization for quite some time. They are originally Sri Lankan nationals, but the reason for their arrival at Ahmedabad Airport remains under investigation. Is there any imminent threat to Gujarat and India? Is there a sleeper cell involved? These questions are being probed by the Gujarat ATS.
Threatening Emails Target Ahmedabad Schools
On May 6th, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the country, on May 7th, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were slated to vote in Ahmedabad city. Just a day before, on May 6th, threatening emails were received by a total of 36 schools in Ahmedabad city and 4 schools in rural Ahmedabad, totaling 40 schools, threatening bomb explosions. Police were informed by the schools receiving these threatening emails. It has been claimed that the emails originated from Pakistan, although previously, claims were made from Russian domains.
Police made announcements that on May 7th, the next day, polling booths in many large schools were also targeted, resulting in police being informed by schools about these threatening emails. BDDS, DOG Squad, and cybercrime teams conducted checks at all schools. However, no suspicious items were found. It appears that the purpose behind these emails was solely to spread fear among the people.
What is the Islamic State?
During the American invasion of Iraq in 2003, Jordanian jihadist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and his terrorist organization Jama’at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad took advantage of Iraq’s unstable situation, escalating terrorist attacks. In 2004, Zarqawi pledged allegiance to Osama bin Laden and rebranded his organization as “Al-Qaeda in Iraq.” However, Zarqawi was killed during an American airstrike in 2006. Subsequently, on October 12, 2006, the Mujahideen Shura Council of Iraq, along with six Sunni tribes, united to establish the glory of Islam. Just one day later, they officially founded the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI). In 2010, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was announced as the leader or “emir” of the Islamic State in Iraq.
