Preliminary interrogation has identified Mohammad Ayyub and Amin Shera as the alleged masterminds behind the module. Investigators claim the duo procured chemicals, gunpowder, and other materials that could be used to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Officials further alleged that the group conducted seven to eight small trial explosions in remote rural areas of Gujarat to test explosive materials and assess their operational capabilities.
According to the investigation, the suspects deliberately avoided cities and allegedly took shelter in remote villages, believing security surveillance was less intense in rural areas. Authorities say the strategy was intended to help them evade law enforcement while expanding the alleged terror network.
However, ATS officials said the group's movements had been under discreet surveillance for some time.
Investigators said the Gujarat ATS closely monitored the activities of the suspected module before launching coordinated raids after gathering what they described as sufficient evidence. All five suspects were arrested during the operation.
Officials are now questioning the accused to determine whether the alleged network has additional members or local facilitators operating in other parts of the country.
During a court hearing seeking police remand, Public Prosecutor P.R. Dantani claimed that one of the accused had allegedly attempted to assemble a time bomb.
The prosecution also told the court that investigators are still searching for additional bomb-making materials and Urdu-language literature allegedly linked to the banned outfit. Authorities argue that further custodial interrogation is necessary to recover the remaining evidence and uncover the full extent of the alleged conspiracy.
Earlier, on July 3, Gujarat ATS and other agencies arrested eight suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed members from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh in connection with an alleged attempt to establish a sleeper cell in the state.
