What Happened
  • The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) busted a suspected terror plot and arrested three people, including a doctor with a Chinese MBBS degree, for allegedly planning a chemical terror attack using Ricin, a deadly poison.
  • The main accused, Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed, was reportedly in contact with a handler linked to the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) — an extremist group based in Afghanistan.
  • Two other accused, Azad Suleman Sheikh and Mohammad Suhail Mohammad Saleem, were also held for supplying weapons and helping with the plan.

KEY DETAILS OF THE CASE

  • Main Accused:
    • Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed, from Hyderabad, was arrested near Adalaj in Gandhinagar district.
    • The ATS seized from him:
      • 2 Glock pistols
      • 1 Beretta pistol
      • 30 live cartridges
      • 4 litres of castor oil (raw material for making Ricin
  • Nature of the Plot:
    • Saiyed had started researching and preparing Ricin, gathering the equipment and chemicals
    • He had also conducted recce (surveillance) of sensitive locations in Lucknow, Delhi, and Ahmedabad.
    • He planned to collect funds, recruit people, and carry out large-scale terrorist activities.
  • Terror Network:
    • Handler: Abu Khadija, an Afghan national linked to ISKP and connected with people in Pakistan.
    • Arms were allegedly sent through drones from across the Pakistan border.
    • Sheikh and Saleem, both from Uttar Pradesh, had procured the weapons from Hanumangadh, Rajasthan, and delivered them to Saiyed.
  • Evidence Seized:
    • 3 mobile phones
    • 2 laptops
    • Weapons and castor oil
    • Call records showed they had been doing reconnaissance for almost a year.

LEGAL ACTION

  • The trio has been charged under:
    • Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
    • Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS)
    • Arms Act
  • Saiyed is in ATS custody till November 17, 2025.
  • The other two were produced in court on November 9.
  • The ATS is also coordinating with Central and State agencies for further investigation.

ABOUT RICIN

Feature Details
Source Found naturally in castor beans
Production Can be made from waste material left after processing castor beans
Forms Powder, mist, pellet, or dissolved in water/weak acid
Stability Stable under normal conditions; destroyed at temperatures above 80°C (176°F)
Toxicity Extremely poisonous when inhaled, eaten, or injected; 5–10 micrograms per kg can be fatal
How it Works Ricin enters body cells and stops them from making proteins needed for survival, leading to cell death
Effect on Body Damages organs and can cause death if not treated quickly
Accidental Exposure Very rare; usually from swallowing castor seeds
Treatment No specific antidote; treatment focuses on supportive medical care (helping the body recover)
Why Dangerous Considered a potential biological weapon because it is easy to produce and highly toxic

WHY THIS MATTERS?

  • Highlights the growing threat of chemical and biological weapons in terrorism.
  • Shows the importance of strong intelligence coordination among states and central agencies.
  • Serves as a reminder that education doesn’t prevent radicalisation — awareness and monitoring are key.