In a major operation, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a youth for allegedly conducting reconnaissance of sensitive sites in Mumbai, including the Chabad House in Colaba, officials said.

The Chabad House, also known as the Nariman House, was one of the primary targets during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

The accused, identified as 20-year-old Yash Singh, had allegedly been conducting reconnaissance of one of Mumbai’s most sensitive locations, the Chabad House/Synagogue in Colaba, along with businesses and establishments associated with Jewish citizens, and was sending photographs and location details to handles that he got in touch with on social media.

According to officials, the young man had allegedly got trapped in the network of international criminal and anti-national elements through social media.

The ATS Navi Mumbai unit received confidential information that the accused, a resident of the Airoli area, was in contact with anti-national elements through social media.

During intensive questioning, it emerged that anti-national actors and mafia-linked social media handles had assigned him the task of collecting and sharing photographs and information about sensitive and prominent locations in Mumbai, including the Chabad House/Synagogue in Colaba, companies owned by Jewish citizens, foreign or Jewish nationals, their vehicles, and surrounding locations.

He allegedly received payments from time to time in exchange for the information.

Further investigation revealed that Yash Singh had direct contact with anti-national operatives through Telegram.

Further, investigators found that he was also linked as an associate in Crime No. 994/2025, registered at the Thrissur East Police Station, Kerala, under Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.

The ATS team in Navi Mumbai immediately shared the information with Thrissur police.

Subsequently, a team of Kerala Police arrived in Navi Mumbai and questioned Singh. After confirming his direct involvement in the case, Kerala Police arrested him in connection with that investigation.

According to the ATS, several international criminal syndicates, anti-national elements, and Pakistani handlers, including the Shahzad Bhatti network, are using platforms such as Telegram, Instagram, and WhatsApp to lure unemployed and financially distressed youth with money and recruit them for anti-national and sabotage-related activities.

In a warning issued by the agency, the ATS said it is actively identifying and taking action against such individuals.

Meanwhile, police have appealed to citizens, especially parents and young people, not to interact with unknown individuals on social media or be tempted by financial offers. They also urged people not to share photographs, reconnaissance details, or information related to sensitive locations with anyone.

Four men have been arrested for allegedly replacing a licensed firearm used in a fatal shooting during a hunting trip in Kutch with an illegal country-made gun in an attempt to mislead police and conceal evidence, the West Kutch police said on Friday.

Six other accused are yet to be arrested. The incident occurred in the Payarka area of Bhuj taluka on the night of November 3, when Kadar Hasam Jat sustained a gunshot injury to his head and died.

His death was reported as an accidental death at Mankuva police station on November 4. However, as the circumstances appeared suspicious, the Special Operations Group (SOG) and Local Crime Branch (LCB) were assigned to investigate.

According to the police, Kadar had gone hunting with Isha Husein Jat, Altaf Ramju Jat and Juma alias Rashid Umar Jat, all from Bhuj taluka. Isha had brought a gun and cartridges for hunting.

During the trip, his finger allegedly touched the trigger accidentally, causing the weapon to fire. The bullet struck Kadar, who was standing in front of him, in the head, causing fatal injuries.

The three men took Kadar to a farm belonging to a person identified as Navinbhai. Isha then informed Adam Ibhla Jat, his paternal aunt’s son, who arrived at the farm and confirmed that Kadar had died.

Altaf and Juma subsequently left the spot, police said. During the investigation, SOG Assistant Sub-Inspectors Narendra Singh Jhala and Raghuvir Singh Jadeja received information about the circumstances of the shooting.

Police first questioned Altaf and Juma, who allegedly disclosed details of the hunting trip. Further questioning of Isha led investigators to uncover an alleged conspiracy to conceal the use of the licensed firearm.

Police said Isha had obtained a licensed gun belonging to Juma Musa Jat through Adam for the hunting trip. After Kadar’s death, Isha and Adam allegedly contacted seven other men and called them to the farm.

The group allegedly decided to hide Juma Musa Jat’s licensed firearm to prevent its seizure and the cancellation of its licence.

Juma Musa Jat then contacted his friend Jakab Daud Jat, a resident of Tankanasar in Bhuj taluka, and obtained an illegal country-made gun from him.

The licensed firearm was allegedly removed and concealed, while the country-made gun was placed at the location to be presented as the weapon used in the incident if a police case was registered.

“The accused planned to create false evidence and provide misleading information to the investigating officer to divert the investigation,” police said.

The four arrested accused have been identified as Isha Husein Jat, a resident of Pirwali; Adam Ibhla Jat of Kodki; Juma Musa Jat, currently residing in Kodki and originally from Pirwali; and Jakab Daud Jat of Tankanasar.

The six accused yet to be arrested are Umar Jakab Jat of Sumrasar (Jat), Haji Sidhik Mamad Jat of Pirwali, Juma Kasam Jat of Navavas in Pirwali, Sidhik Daud Jat of Sumrasar (Jat), Ibrahim Hajisidhik Jat of Navavas in Pirwali, and Imran Daud Jat of Maina Pad. All locations are in Bhuj taluka.

The police seized six mobile phones, one firearm allegedly used in the incident and 17 cartridges. The four arrested accused and the seized articles were handed over to Mankuva police station for further legal action.

Police said Jakab Daud Jat has three previous cases registered against him at Mankuva police station.

These include a 2022 case under the Arms Act and Gujarat Police Act, another 2022 case under Sections 323, 325 and 506(2) of the Indian Penal Code, and a 2023 case under Sections 114, 294(b), 323, 324 and 506(2) of the IPC, along with Section 135 of the Gujarat Police Act.

Railway security agencies have arrested a youth from Mumbai for allegedly being involved in the black marketing of railway tickets following a raid at a dharamshala in Madhuban, Giridih district of Jharkhand. A total of 31 train tickets worth Rs 1.74 lakh were recovered from his possession.

According to officials, 117 passengers were scheduled to travel on the recovered tickets. During interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted to charging an additional Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per ticket in the name of arranging tickets for needy passengers.

Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Dhanbad, and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) Post, Gomo, along with personnel from the local Madhuban police station, conducted a raid at Siddhayatan Charitable Spiritual Home Dharamshala on Thursday.

During the operation, the team searched room number 226 of the dharamshala and allegedly uncovered the ticket black marketing racket.

The accused was identified as 33-year-old Jaswant Rai, a resident of Malad West in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He was apprehended from the spot.

During the search, the team recovered 31 railway tickets purchased from the Madhuban railway counter over the past three days. The total value of the tickets was estimated at Rs 1,74,630.

Apart from the tickets, the officials also seized two used touchscreen mobile phones and Rs 6,900 in cash from the accused.

Following the operation, a case was registered at the Railway Protection Force Post, Gomo, on November 12, under Case No. 789/26. The accused has been booked under Section 143 of the Railways Act for his alleged involvement in the illegal sale of railway tickets.

Railway security agencies are now investigating the matter to establish the extent of the alleged racket and identify other people who may be involved in the black marketing of railway tickets.