A 20-year-old man has been arrested in Navi Mumbai for allegedly spying on sensitive places in Mumbai.
One of them was Nariman House in Colaba, which was attacked during the 26/11 terror attacks in 2008.
The man is Yash Singh, who lives in Airoli. The Navi Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested him on Saturday.
The ATS acted after getting information about his suspected links to international criminal networks through social media.
Police suspect he was working for foreign handlers.
He allegedly photographed sensitive buildings and collected vehicle numbers.
He also gathered location details of Jewish people, foreign nationals and their businesses in Mumbai.
His main focus was Chabad House, also known as Nariman House. It is a Jewish religious and cultural centre in Colaba.
In November 2008, it was one of the main targets of the attacks.
Key points
- Yash Singh, 20, from Airoli, was arrested by the Navi Mumbai ATS.
- He is accused of collecting details of Jewish sites and foreign nationals in Mumbai.
- The case is linked to a UAPA case in Thrissur, Kerala.
- The investigation is continuing, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
So why does this case worry investigators?
The 26/11 attacks were carried out by 10 terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based group.
They came into Mumbai by sea in November 2008.
The attacks lasted three days. At least 166 people were killed, and around 300 were injured.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
Nariman House was one of the places where hostages were taken.
That is why a recce of the same place is so serious for police.
Investigators say the alleged work was aimed at people who are Jewish or foreign.
How did a young man get drawn into this network?
The ATS says criminal networks are reaching out to young people on Telegram, Instagram and WhatsApp.
They target those who are unemployed or short of money.
The ATS has linked these networks to the crime syndicate of Shahzad Bhatti.
Agencies describe him as a Pakistani-origin gangster. Police have not yet said how much Singh was allegedly paid.
For ordinary families, this is a warning. If you are short of money, be careful of online offers for quick cash.
What happens next in the case?
The Kerala case is registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a law used in terror-related cases.
A Kerala Police team travelled to Navi Mumbai and took Singh into custody.
In September, the Union Home Ministry declared the Shahzad Bhatti Network a terrorist organisation under the UAPA.
The investigation is still going on, and the courts will decide the case.
Sources
- Oneindia: 20-Year-Old Arrested For Spying On Mumbai Locations, Conducted Recce Of 26/11 Attack Site Nariman House
- Free Press Journal: 20-Year-Old Arrested For Conducting Recce Of Chabad House, Other Sensitive Locations In Mumbai
- english.gujaratsamachar: 26/11 Target Under Watch Again: How a 20-Year-Old From Airoli Allegedly Ended Up Spying for Shahzad Bhatti's Network
