The Ministry of Home Affairs has transferred the investigation into an alleged ISKP-linked terror plot to the National Investigation Agency&rsquo;s Ahmedabad unit, citing concerns of a broader, coordinated conspiracy spanning multiple states. The move comes amid links being examined between recent arrests in Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, and the deadly Red Fort blast in Delhi.
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad earlier arrested Hyderabad-based doctor Ahmed Mohiuddin Syed, along with Mohammad Suhail and Azad Suleman Shaikh from Banaskantha district. Investigators claim the accused conducted reconnaissance of key locations, including the Azaad Mandi fruit market in Delhi and the Naroda Fruit Market in Ahmedabad, as part of preparations for a major attack.
According to officials, the accused were allegedly planning a ricin-based poisoning attack and were also exploring the use of firearms and other weapons. Ricin is considered one of the most lethal toxins known, with no specific antidote. The arrests were made only days before the Red Fort blast, which killed more than 10 people, prompting central agencies to investigate possible operational or ideological links.
The NIA has re-registered the case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, invoking sections related to unlawful activity and conspiracy. Additional charges have been added under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Arms Act. Officials said the agency will now conduct a comprehensive probe into potential terror networks operating across states.
Investigators will examine digital evidence, including mobile phone records, encrypted messaging platforms, financial transactions, and social media activity of suspects arrested in different regions. The probe will also look into allegations of drones being used to drop sophisticated weapons along the Rajasthan&ndash;Pakistan border.
Earlier searches at Dr Syed&rsquo;s residence in Hyderabad reportedly led to the recovery of raw chemical substances believed to be linked to ricin preparation. Agencies suspect the module was planning large-scale attacks around early December, coinciding with sensitive dates linked to past communal events.

Ricin attack plan and multi-state arrests raise fears of wider terror conspiracy

NIA Takes Over ISKP-Linked Terror Plot Probe

Ricin attack plan and multi-state arrests raise fears of wider terror conspiracy

January 3, 2026 | 17:17 IST