By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 19 Jun: Mohammad Salahuddin, arrested from Gadarpur in Udham Singh Nagar district on charges of radicalisation and alleged terror-linked activities, has been sent to judicial custody by the court today. Arrested by the STF yesterday, Salahuddin was produced in the court today.
It may be reminded that the STF has claimed that the preliminary findings indicate that Salahuddin had become deeply radicalised and was allegedly preparing himself for a possible fidayeen-style attack while maintaining contact with suspected extremist elements through encrypted social media platforms. The STF is now probing his digital footprint, financial links and interstate connections to ascertain the full extent of the alleged conspiracy.
According to STF Senior Superintendent of Police Ajai Singh, the initial investigation has revealed that Salahuddin was allegedly involved in a conspiracy to execute a major act of violence. During the probe, it emerged that four detonators had allegedly been supplied to him by a person identified as Zubair, a resident of Telangana. Investigators have also found reliable clues to the fact that financial assistance had been extended to him. Agencies are now examining the purpose for which the detonators were procured by Salahuddin and they are also identifying the possible targets that may have been under consideration. The officials believe that timely intervention by the STF may have prevented a potentially serious incident.
The STF has further claimed that Salahuddin was actively preparing himself physically for a possible fidayeen mission. During the investigation, it was also found that he regularly recorded videos of himself running, performing push-ups and undertaking other physical training exercises, which were allegedly shared with handlers through encrypted communication platforms such as Telegram and Signal. The sources claim that the chats recovered during the probe suggest that Salahuddin repeatedly projected himself as ready and fit for any assignment entrusted to him. During questioning, he reportedly stated that he had been disturbed by incidents involving the demolition of mosques and shrines at different places.
According to the STF, some radical elements subsequently came into contact with him through social media platforms and gradually influenced his thinking. The STF alleges that he had become associated with several online groups propagating extremist and jihadist content and increasingly engaged with material deemed anti-national in nature. Examination of his mobile phone reportedly led to the recovery of content relating to jihad, martyrdom and extremist ideology, following which legal action was initiated against him. The officials are now scrutinising his contacts, online networks and possible interstate connections while forensic examination of his mobile phone and other digital evidence is underway. Further legal action will be taken on the basis of the forensic findings and other evidence gathered during the investigation.
The investigation in the case has now also extended beyond Uttarakhand. During scrutiny of Salahuddin’s mobile phone, STF personnel reportedly came across several suspicious chats and groups on Instagram, Telegram and Signal. These communications allegedly contained content relating to jihad, martyrdom and anti-national narratives. Preliminary findings suggest that efforts may have also been made to influence and radicalise other youths through these online platforms.
During interrogation, information surfaced regarding Salahuddin’s alleged contacts with Ataullah Sameer, a resident of Rampur in Uttar Pradesh. Acting on these inputs, a special STF team conducted raids in Rampur and arrested Sameer and also brought him to Dehradun for questioning. Security agencies and intelligence units jointly questioned him at the STF office. Investigators stated that preliminary inquiries indicate that the people linked to the network had allegedly attempted to draw Sameer towards extremist ideology and anti-national activities through social media platforms.
The STF claims that social media is being used to expose young people to radical narratives aimed at undermining social harmony, national unity and public security. Following extensive questioning and technical analysis, Sameer was handed over to his family members. However, his mobile phone has been sent for forensic examination and further legal action will depend on the findings of the forensic report.
Ajai Singh said the STF was maintaining close surveillance on social media platforms and monitoring individuals attempting to radicalise youths through online channels. He stated that Salahuddin has been allegedly been trying to influence other young people through social media and that the agency would continue taking strict action against those engaged in spreading extremist ideology.
The arrest of Salahuddin was made yesterday following confidential intelligence inputs and digital surveillance by the STF. During the investigation, officials reportedly detected suspicious digital communications indicating discussions related to the storage and movement of weapons and explosive materials. These inputs ultimately led to his arrest from Gadarpur.
Subsequently, acting on the accused’s disclosures, STF teams carried out a late-night search operation during which they allegedly recovered a foreign-made pistol, five live cartridges, four detonators and two rounds of AK-47 ammunition. Investigators are now attempting to establish the source of the recovered materials, identify all the people associated with the alleged network and determine whether there are any links extending beyond Uttarakhand and neighbouring states. The probe remains underway and officials have indicated that additional arrests and legal action cannot be ruled out as more evidence emerges.
