Ahmedabad/Patan, July 14 (IANS) The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has intensified its investigation into the alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) network uncovered earlier this month, questioning around five more suspected individuals in Patan district’s Siddhpur after fresh leads emerged during the ongoing probe.

The latest action follows the arrest of eight alleged operatives by the Gujarat ATS ahead of the annual Rath Yatra.

Investigators said the fresh questioning was prompted by evidence suggesting that the alleged network had deeper links in Siddhpur taluka.

ATS teams carried out searches at the residence of accused Mohammad Amin Shera in Chatavada village of Siddhpur taluka and questioned his family members as part of the investigation.

Officers also visited commercial areas, including Japalipol in Siddhpur, to question traders in an effort to trace allegedly suspicious items purchased by Shera.

The investigation continued until late in the evening, with officials examining possible links to other individuals.

An official associated with the investigation told IANS, “We are following up on our intelligence inputs and carrying out the investigation. At present, these individuals have been brought in only for the purpose of questioning.”

The ATS has not announced any fresh arrests in connection with the latest questioning.

The development comes after the ATS arrested eight individuals from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, saying that they were attempting to establish an active network of the banned Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed in Gujarat.

According to the agency, seven of the accused were arrested in Gujarat and one from Madhya Pradesh during coordinated raids in Banaskantha, Patan, Navsari and Dewas districts.

The ATS has alleged that the accused formed an organisation called “Darul Islam Gujarat Jaish-e-Mohammed” and were in contact with Pakistani handlers identified as Abdullah and Mohammad Umar.

Investigators have further alleged that the group translated JeM literature into Gujarati to spread the organisation’s ideology, recruited “trustworthy” members and received around Rs three lakh in funding.

During the searches, the ATS claimed to have recovered digital material related to the banned outfit, including literature, audio and video files, a JeM flag, and Urdu letters addressed to the terror outfit’s founder Masood Azhar.

The eight accused have been booked under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, including offences relating to unlawful activities, raising funds for terrorist acts, conspiracy, membership of a terrorist organisation and support to a terrorist organisation, along with relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

They were earlier remanded to ATS custody as the investigation into the alleged network continues.

–IANS

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