New Delhi, Aug 9: The Rajasthan Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has detained a youth identified as Wasit from Tonk over suspected links with a terrorist organisation, sources said on Sunday, even as the security agencies step up scrutiny of possible terror networks operating in the state.

According to sources, Wasit was taken to Jaipur for questioning and may subsequently be brought to Delhi for further interrogation. Investigators are also examining whether he was in contact with a handler allegedly linked to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

ATS teams also conducted searches at Wasit’s residence in Tonk as part of the investigation. During the search, officials are learnt to have seized digital devices and details relating to bank accounts and financial transactions, sources said.

The material recovered during the searches is likely to be examined as investigators seek to establish the nature and extent of the suspected links. Officials are also expected to scrutinise the digital communications and financial records for any possible connection with individuals or networks associated with the banned terror organisation.

There has been no official confirmation from the Rajasthan ATS regarding Wasit’s detention or the specific allegations against him so far. The investigation is underway, and the exact nature of his alleged association with the organisation remains to be established.

The latest development comes against the backdrop of a recent Rajasthan ATS investigation into another alleged JeM-linked network.

Earlier in June, the Rajasthan ATS, acting on intelligence inputs from Military Intelligence, arrested a Jaipur-based woman, Babita Dhakad, over alleged links with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed. She was also known by the alias “Khadija”, according to reports.

Investigators had alleged that Dhakad was in contact with individuals linked to JeM through social media and messaging platforms. Her electronic devices and online communications were examined as part of the investigation.

The case had also raised concerns among investigators about the use of online platforms for radicalisation and recruitment. Dhakad, who was originally from Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur/Gangapur City region and had been living in Jaipur, was arrested after intelligence inputs indicated suspected contacts with extremist elements based outside India.

Nagpur, Aug 9: In continuation of its operation against smuggling of precious metals, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized gold worth over Rs three crore from a train passenger at Nagpur in Maharashtra, officials said on Sunday.

Upon receiving a tip-off that gold, smuggled across the India-Bangladesh border, was being transported further by train, a DRI Nagpur team conducted an operation at Nagpur Railway Station and detained a passenger.

An official statement said that the passenger was arrested with 2.165 kg of gold. The estimated value of the seized gold is reported to be Rs 3.09 crore.

According to the intelligence received, the gold had been smuggled into India via the India-Bangladesh border. DRI officials subsequently learned that the gold was to be transported to its next destination by an individual travelling on the 12102 Dnyaneshwari Express.

Acting on this information, DRI Nagpur officials laid a trap at Nagpur Railway Station. The passenger was searched upon his arrival at the station, during which the concealed gold was discovered.

Officials have seized 16 gold bars from the accused passenger.

Recently, the DRI carried out a series of operations and arrested 20 accused, including five foreigners, seizing foreign-origin gold, heroin, MDMA and other contraband, an official said.

The seized articles included hydroponic weed, red sanders, prohibited wildlife products, e-cigarettes, foreign-origin poppy seeds and areca nuts, the DRI said in a statement, adding that around 9.5 kg of gold valued at around Rs 14 crore was seized and nine accused were arrested.

The arrest of 20 accused, including five foreign nationals, involved in smuggling and trafficking activities and exposed sophisticated concealment techniques employed by organised criminal syndicates, said the statement.

Sharing details of gold seizures, the DRI said that on July 29, two foreign nationals who had arrived from Dubai were arrested at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, leading to the seizure of 40 foreign-origin gold bars weighing 4 kg from cavities in their baggage.

In separate operations conducted jointly by DRI and Border Security Force personnel along the Indo-Bangladesh border, officers seized around 3.2 kg of foreign-origin gold, said the DRI.

New Delhi, Aug 8: East District Police has apprehended seven African nationals, including five Nigerians and two Ghanaians, during a special drive against overstaying foreign nationals in Delhi. The operation was carried out by the Special Staff and Anti-Narcotics Squad (ANS) in the jurisdiction of Pandav Nagar police station through Intelligence-based verification and field enquiries.

According to police, all seven foreign nationals were produced before the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Delhi, after completion of the necessary documentation and verification process. FRRO has issued Restriction Orders against all seven individuals under the relevant provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.

Pending further legal proceedings, their movement has been restricted to Sewa Sadan, Lampur, Narela, Delhi. Deportation proceedings have also been initiated in coordination with the FRRO.

Police said the action was part of a special campaign launched to identify and verify foreign nationals residing illegally in the district after the expiry of their visas or immigration permissions. Dedicated teams of the Special Staff and ANS intensified Intelligence gathering, conducted discreet field enquiries, and verified available records to identify suspected overstayers.

The Special Staff team, led by Inspector Jitendra Malik under the supervision of ACP (Operations) Pawan Kumar, apprehended four foreign nationals from the Pandav Nagar area on August 4. They were identified as Osita Nkemen (54), a Nigerian national; Ngota Cynthia (38), a Nigerian national; James (25), a Ghanaian national; and Livy Otughana (27), a Ghanaian national.

During verification, Ngota Cynthia was found to have a previous criminal case registered against her. Police said she is an accused in FIR No. 48/2021 under Section 22 of the NDPS Act registered by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Bengaluru, and the matter is currently pending before a court. Further legal action in her case is being taken as per law.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Narcotics Squad, headed by Inspector Arun Kumar and working under the supervision of ACP Pawan Kumar, conducted verification drives in Smaspur Village, Patparganj, under the jurisdiction of PS Pandav Nagar. The operation led to the detention of three Nigerian nationals identified as Kelechi Cornelius (32), Okechukwu Solomon (36), and Chukwudi Alison (43).

Police said the names of Kelechi Cornelius and Okechukwu Solomon were already reflected in the list of overstaying foreign nationals maintained by the authorities concerned.

Following verification of their immigration status, all seven individuals were detained and produced before FRRO. Restriction Orders were subsequently issued, and the deportation process was initiated in accordance with the prescribed legal procedure.

East District Police said it remains committed to the strict enforcement of immigration laws and will continue Intelligence-based verification drives to identify overstaying foreign nationals and take appropriate legal action in coordination with FRRO and other concerned agencies.