'Biological attack' plot probe: UP, Gujarat ATS search accused home at Kheri; multi-city strike foiled
LUCKNOW: A joint team of the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (UP ATS) and Gujarat ATS on Saturday carried out searches at the residence of Mohammad Suhail Saleem Khan (23) in Lakhimpur Kheri’s Singahi area in connection with an alleged terror conspiracy involving plans for a “biological attack”.
According to investigators, Suhail is accused of being part of a module that was allegedly plotting attacks in multiple Indian cities, including Lucknow, Delhi, and Ahmedabad. The probe began after the arrest of two others—Azad Suleman Sheikh (20) from Shamli and Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed (35), a Hyderabad-based doctor with an MBBS degree from China. Saiyed was earlier detained near Ahmedabad on November 9.
Officials said Suhail is suspected of conspiring to mix poison in temple ‘prasad’ and ensure its distribution at religious sites in the three cities. Following his alleged role surfacing during the interrogation of the arrested accused, Gujarat ATS expanded its investigation to Uttar Pradesh.
A six-member Gujarat ATS mobile investigation team reached Jhala village under Singahi police station limits, where Suhail’s family resides. The team questioned his relatives and collected details about his local contacts, activities, and movement patterns.
The presence of ATS and local police triggered discussions across the village, with officers confirming that the search was part of an ongoing, multi-state investigation. Officials said further action will depend on evidence emerging during the continuing probe.
According to information received, Suhail Khan, a resident of Ward No. 1 in Singahi and son of tractor mechanic Saleem, was arrested from Gujarat. Suhail went to Muzaffarnagar three years ago to pursue Hafiz studies. It is reported that he travelled to Gujarat around 15 days ago, where he was taken into custody by the Gujarat ATS.
Officials said that some documents and flags have been seized, which will be analysed by forensic experts. However, no explosives or arms were found till the last reports came in.
Suhail’s mother, Rukhsana, and other relatives insist he is innocent and deny any possibility of his links with terror networks. “Suhail is of very simple nature. He has no connection, near or far, with Pakistani terrorists,” she said, breaking down repeatedly. The family claims they assumed his phone was switched off because of low balance.
Last Visited Home During Bakrid
According to his mother, Suhail last came home during Bakrid in June. He left again in July, moved to Muzaffarnagar for his studies, and travelled to Gujarat a week before his arrest. The family spoke to him four days ago, after which his phone remained unreachable.
Religious Studies in Madrasas
Suhail completed his early education at a madrasa in Singahi Jhala and later pursued Tablighi studies at another madrasa in Salimabad under Majhgai police station. He shifted to Muzaffarnagar to continue his Hafiz studies and was staying there until his recent travel.
His father, Saleem, around 50, is a tractor mechanic who supports the family on modest earnings. Their mud house remains unfinished, lacking plaster. Villagers said the family avoided speaking to the media and even asked reporters to leave.
Suhail is the middle child among three brothers. The eldest, Summim Khan, works in Tamil Nadu selling clothes, while the youngest, Waseem, repairs air-conditioners in the Singahi area.
UP ATS to Interrogate Suhail and Co-Accused Azad
UP ATS teams will soon reach Ahmedabad to question the two Uttar Pradesh-based accused arrested by Gujarat ATS—Suhail from Lakhimpur Kheri and Azad Suleman Sheikh (20), a sanitation worker from Kairana, Shamli.
According to Gujarat ATS’s preliminary interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted to conducting reconnaissance in Lucknow, Delhi, and Ahmedabad for planned attacks. Investigators claim they arranged weapons from Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, reportedly delivered via drone from Pakistan. Their alleged handler, Dr Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed (35) of Hyderabad—an MBBS graduate from China—was also arrested for purportedly directing them to prepare a chemical ‘ricin bomb’.
Officials said the investigation is ongoing and ATS teams from multiple states are coordinating to verify the extent of the suspects’ activities and overseas links.
According to investigators, Suhail is accused of being part of a module that was allegedly plotting attacks in multiple Indian cities, including Lucknow, Delhi, and Ahmedabad. The probe began after the arrest of two others—Azad Suleman Sheikh (20) from Shamli and Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed (35), a Hyderabad-based doctor with an MBBS degree from China. Saiyed was earlier detained near Ahmedabad on November 9.
Officials said Suhail is suspected of conspiring to mix poison in temple ‘prasad’ and ensure its distribution at religious sites in the three cities. Following his alleged role surfacing during the interrogation of the arrested accused, Gujarat ATS expanded its investigation to Uttar Pradesh.
A six-member Gujarat ATS mobile investigation team reached Jhala village under Singahi police station limits, where Suhail’s family resides. The team questioned his relatives and collected details about his local contacts, activities, and movement patterns.
The presence of ATS and local police triggered discussions across the village, with officers confirming that the search was part of an ongoing, multi-state investigation. Officials said further action will depend on evidence emerging during the continuing probe.
According to information received, Suhail Khan, a resident of Ward No. 1 in Singahi and son of tractor mechanic Saleem, was arrested from Gujarat. Suhail went to Muzaffarnagar three years ago to pursue Hafiz studies. It is reported that he travelled to Gujarat around 15 days ago, where he was taken into custody by the Gujarat ATS.
Officials said that some documents and flags have been seized, which will be analysed by forensic experts. However, no explosives or arms were found till the last reports came in.
Suhail’s mother, Rukhsana, and other relatives insist he is innocent and deny any possibility of his links with terror networks. “Suhail is of very simple nature. He has no connection, near or far, with Pakistani terrorists,” she said, breaking down repeatedly. The family claims they assumed his phone was switched off because of low balance.
Last Visited Home During Bakrid
According to his mother, Suhail last came home during Bakrid in June. He left again in July, moved to Muzaffarnagar for his studies, and travelled to Gujarat a week before his arrest. The family spoke to him four days ago, after which his phone remained unreachable.
Religious Studies in Madrasas
Suhail completed his early education at a madrasa in Singahi Jhala and later pursued Tablighi studies at another madrasa in Salimabad under Majhgai police station. He shifted to Muzaffarnagar to continue his Hafiz studies and was staying there until his recent travel.
His father, Saleem, around 50, is a tractor mechanic who supports the family on modest earnings. Their mud house remains unfinished, lacking plaster. Villagers said the family avoided speaking to the media and even asked reporters to leave.
Suhail is the middle child among three brothers. The eldest, Summim Khan, works in Tamil Nadu selling clothes, while the youngest, Waseem, repairs air-conditioners in the Singahi area.
UP ATS to Interrogate Suhail and Co-Accused Azad
UP ATS teams will soon reach Ahmedabad to question the two Uttar Pradesh-based accused arrested by Gujarat ATS—Suhail from Lakhimpur Kheri and Azad Suleman Sheikh (20), a sanitation worker from Kairana, Shamli.
According to Gujarat ATS’s preliminary interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted to conducting reconnaissance in Lucknow, Delhi, and Ahmedabad for planned attacks. Investigators claim they arranged weapons from Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, reportedly delivered via drone from Pakistan. Their alleged handler, Dr Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed (35) of Hyderabad—an MBBS graduate from China—was also arrested for purportedly directing them to prepare a chemical ‘ricin bomb’.
Officials said the investigation is ongoing and ATS teams from multiple states are coordinating to verify the extent of the suspects’ activities and overseas links.
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