Gujarat ATS arrests doctor preparing ricin for ISIS attack; crowded markets in Delhi, Ahmedabad, Lucknow surveyed

PTC Web Desk:  The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested three ISIS operatives last week, including a doctor allegedly preparing ricin, a highly toxic chemical. Officials revealed on Monday that the doctor, Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed, 35, from Hyderabad, had surveyed crowded markets and public places in Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Lucknow as potential targets.

Over the past six months, Saiyed conducted reconnaissance of Azadpur Mandi in Delhi, Naroda fruit market in Ahmedabad and the RSS office in Lucknow. The authorities said he had been exploring ways to weaponise ricin, a deadly protein derived from castor seeds, for use in a possible terror attack.

Gujarat ATS said Saiyed had already started research, procured equipment and raw materials and begun initial chemical processing for making ricin, also referred to as “Ryzin.” He was arrested near Adalaj in Gandhinagar on November 7 along with two pistols, 30 live cartridges and four litres of castor oil.

Preliminary investigation suggests Saiyed was in contact with Abu Khadim of the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP) and was radicalised despite holding an MBBS degree from China. ATS DIG Sunil Joshi said Saiyed had also planned to raise funds and recruit others for terrorist activities.

The other two operatives arrested are Azad Suleman Sheikh (20) and Mohammad Suhail Mohammad Saleem (23) from Uttar Pradesh. Officials believe the three are part of a larger ISIS-linked network with sleeper cells across India.

Authorities are now analysing seized chemicals and electronic evidence to trace the source of ricin and determine if any experiments had been carried out.