ATS Arrests Jaish-Linked Rapido Driver for Anti-Modi Posts and Radical Web
In a swift counter-terror operation that intercepted a dangerous radicalization module in the financial capital, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) apprehended a commercial bike-taxi driver near the Mahim Metro station in Mumbai for his suspected operational links to the banned Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Acting on precise counter-intelligence inputs, investigators intercepted the suspect, identified as Mohammad Hasan Abu Sarmad Akhtar, a resident of Mahim who was operating in plain sight under the dual cover of a Rapido driver and a street perfume salesman. Intelligence dossiers indicate that behind this unassuming facade, Akhtar was actively running covert digital channels, liaising with Pakistani intelligence apparatus, and systematically distributing extremist propaganda to polarize youth and trigger communal unrest across the country.
Perfume Vendor by Day, Radical Agent by Night: The Pakistan-Telegram Nexus
Preliminary forensic analysis revealed that Akhtar was deeply embedded in cross-border digital terror syndicates, maintaining direct associations with a radical Pakistani Telegram channel titled 'IBN E Qasim'. Investigators discovered that the accused served as an administrator and agitator across several encrypted messaging networks, notably circulating incendiary audio sermons delivered by fugitive Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar within a large Telegram community named 'Indian Muslim'. These archived voice notes frequently invoked emotive historical grievances surrounding the Babri Masjid to incite religious hatred, cultivate homegrown sleeper assets, and foment subversive anti-state activities. Describing his daily demeanor, a neighbor in Mahim told news agency IANS that Akhtar had lived quietly in a rented flat for nearly three and a half years, noting that while he appeared to be an ordinary citizen who hawked fragrance bottles outside before leaving for overnight transport gigs, anyone found betraying the security of the nation must face the most stringent punishment prescribed by law.
Inciting 'Era of Jihad' and Targeting PM Modi: Digital Seizures and Strict Legal Action
Beyond encrypted chatrooms, Akhtar weaponized mainstream social media platforms, regularly broadcasting inflammatory posts across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram where he openly provoked physical aggression by declaring that "the era of jihad has arrived now." ATS detectives highlighted that the suspect recently published controversial remarks mocking security protocols ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-profile official visit to Mumbai, while simultaneously circulating offensive references against former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. During his apprehension, counter-terror officials confiscated a Redmi Note 14 Pro smartphone from his possession, cataloging 39 incriminating digital screenshots documenting his radical communications and seditious posts for formal court proceedings. The Maharashtra ATS has formally booked Akhtar under Section 196(1) of the penal code for actively promoting enmity between distinct religious groups, with specialized interrogators now examining his digital footprints and financial accounts to map out any local accomplices or broader operational directives originating across the border.
