Mumbai ATS Arrests Youth for Allegedly Reconnoitering Sensitive Locations
Mumbais ATS apprehends a 20-year-old for allegedly surveilling sensitive sites, including Chabad House, and sharing information with anti-national elements.
Mumbai, November 15 (Daily Kiran) : The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Mumbai has arrested a young man in a significant operation. He is accused of conducting reconnaissance on sensitive locations in the city, including the Chabad House in Colaba. Authorities provided details of the arrest on Sunday.
Chabad House, also known as Nariman House, was one of the main targets during the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Yash Singh, allegedly surveilled Chabad House and businesses associated with Jewish citizens. He reportedly sent photos and location details of these sites to contacts made via social media.
Officials indicated that Singh had fallen into a network of international criminals and anti-national elements through social media. The ATS’s Navi Mumbai unit received intelligence suggesting that Singh, a resident of Airoli, was in contact with anti-national figures online. During intense questioning, it was revealed that he had been tasked with gathering information on sensitive locations in Mumbai, including Chabad House, Jewish businesses, and their vehicles.
Reports suggest that he received payments periodically in exchange for this information. Investigators also discovered that Singh was directly in contact with anti-national elements via Telegram. Furthermore, he was linked as an associate in a case registered at the Thrissur East police station in Kerala under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The Navi Mumbai ATS team promptly shared this intelligence with the Thrissur police. Subsequently, a team from Kerala traveled to Navi Mumbai to interrogate Singh. Following confirmation of his direct involvement, he was arrested by the Kerala police for further investigation.
According to the ATS, numerous international criminal gangs, anti-national elements, and Pakistani handlers—such as the network of Shehzad Bhatti—are utilizing platforms like Telegram, Instagram, and WhatsApp. They lure unemployed and financially struggling youths with promises of money, recruiting them for anti-national and disruptive activities.
In a warning issued by the agency, the ATS stated that it is actively identifying such individuals and taking strict action against them. Meanwhile, police have urged citizens, especially parents and youth, to avoid engaging with unknown individuals on social media and to resist the temptation of monetary offers. They also advised the public not to share images, information related to reconnaissance, or any sensitive details about locations with anyone.
