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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas programme in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, through video conferencing on Sunday at 11 a.m. and address the gathering on the occasion of the 151st birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

During the programme, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 246 development projects worth approximately Rs 3,000 crore, aimed at strengthening education, healthcare, livelihood opportunities and community infrastructure for tribal communities across the country.

Of the total projects, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate 173 initiatives, including 38 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for tribal students and 100 Multi-Purpose Centres under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). These centres will function as important hubs for delivering essential services and facilitating various community-level activities.

He will also inaugurate various other projects under PM-JANMAN and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA).

Other key projects to be inaugurated include the Tribal Research Institute (TRI) building at Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh, and the Ropuiliani Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum at Aizawl in Mizoram, aimed at preserving tribal culture and heritage.

The museum commemorates the courage, valour and sacrifices of Mizo tribal freedom fighters, while showcasing the rich cultural traditions, historical legacy and heritage of the Mizo people.

It is named after Ropuiliani, a nineteenth-century Mizo chieftainess who courageously resisted British colonial rule and is remembered as a symbol of tribal resistance and sacrifice.

The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of 19 new Eklavya Model Residential Schools, further strengthening the commitment to providing quality education to tribal children.

He will also lay the foundation stone of 12 Tribal Multi-purpose Marketing Centres (TMMCs) to strengthen market access for tribal producers.

In addition, Prime Minister Modi will also lay the foundation stone for 42 other projects under PM-JANMAN and DAJGUA.

The programme will mark the culmination of Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada, being observed across the country from November 1 to 15.

During the Pakhwada, a range of national and grassroots-level programmes have been organised, including the President’s interaction with EMRS students, the National Tribal Literary Festival, training programmes for tribal healers, health and nutrition camps for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), and community service drives in tribal villages under the Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday virtually interacted with the tribal community members from across the nation during the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas programme in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli, organised on the occasion of the 151st birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

During the programme, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 246 development projects worth approximately Rs 3,000 crore, aimed at strengthening education, healthcare, livelihood opportunities and community infrastructure for tribal communities across the country.

During this event, the members of the tribal community told the Prime Minister about the benefits they have received from the schemes of the Centre government.

Krishna Nagorao Teka, a PM-JANMAN beneficiary from Maharashtra’s Yavatmal, said, “Earlier, we faced many difficulties. During the rainy season, living in our house was very difficult, and we also faced problems with insects and pests. Now, under the PM-JANMAN scheme, we have received a permanent house, a toilet and other facilities. We no longer face those difficulties. We are very grateful to you.”

“I am very happy to learn that the PM-JANMAN Mission has brought changes to the lives of you and the people in your village. Nothing gives me greater satisfaction than this. As you describe, all facilities have reached your village, and the people there remain connected to their cultural heritage,” PM Modi said.

Interacting with Vajir from Hathakundi village in Netrang tehsil in Gujarat’s Bharuch district about the New Gujarat Pattern Yojana, the Prime Minister asked him about the struggles faced by the tribal community and how the initiative has transformed his life.

“In 2004, I received training under the Gujarat government’s New Gujarat Pattern Yojana, through which I was trained in bamboo work. I have also benefited from several schemes under PM-JANMAN. I respectfully thank you, the Gujarat government and the Government of India under your leadership,” Vajir said.

Taking aim at the previous UPA-led government, PM Modi said, “Vajir ji, you are likely aware that the British devised a major ploy by classifying bamboo as a ‘tree’; consequently, anyone who cut bamboo would be thrown into jail. This law should have been abolished after independence. However, regrettably, some individuals in the previous governments neither understood the tribal communities nor cared about them.”

“However, when we came to power, we ended that law and made sure that the tribals have full rights over bamboo,” he added.

Sabavat Anvesh from Hyderabad thanked the Prime Minister for introducing the PM SHRI Schools (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India), which he said is enabling people to complete their higher education.

Meanwhile, of the total projects, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated 173 initiatives, including 38 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for tribal students and 100 Multi-Purpose Centres under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).

He also inaugurated various other projects under PM-JANMAN and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA).

Other key projects inaugurated include the Tribal Research Institute (TRI) building at Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh and the Ropuiliani Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum at Aizawl in Mizoram, aimed at preserving tribal culture and heritage.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of 19 new Eklavya Model Residential Schools, further strengthening the commitment to providing quality education to tribal children.

He also laid the foundation stone of 12 Tribal Multi-purpose Marketing Centres (TMMCs) to strengthen market access for tribal producers.

In addition, Prime Minister Modi also laid the foundation stone for 42 other projects under PM-JANMAN and DAJGUA.

The programme marks the culmination of Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada, being observed across the country from November 1 to 15.