A 20-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly conducting reconnaissance of sensitive locations in Mumbai, including Nariman House, a Jewish religious centre that was targeted during the 26/11 terror attacks in 2008. The arrest has raised fresh security concerns ahead of the 18th anniversary of the deadly Mumbai attacks.
The accused has been identified as Yash Singh, a resident of Airoli in Navi Mumbai. According to police officials, he was allegedly working on the instructions of foreign handlers linked to international criminal networks and was collecting information about sensitive locations in South Mumbai.
Investigators suspect that Singh was assigned to photograph important establishments, record vehicle details and gather precise location information about Jewish citizens, foreign nationals and their businesses in Mumbai. The collected information was allegedly shared with his contacts in exchange for money.
The Navi Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) initially detained Singh after receiving intelligence inputs about his suspected connections with foreign-based networks through social media platforms. During the investigation, officials reportedly discovered links between his activities and a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) at Thrissur in Kerala.
Following the developments, a team of Kerala Police travelled to Navi Mumbai and questioned the accused. After examining his alleged involvement in the Kerala case, the police formally arrested him.
According to investigators, the accused was particularly assigned to conduct reconnaissance of Chabad House, popularly known as Nariman House, located in Mumbai's Colaba area. The building houses a Jewish religious and cultural centre and was one of the major targets during the November 26, 2008, terror attacks.
Police officials have also expressed concern over the alleged use of social media and messaging applications, including Telegram, Instagram and WhatsApp, by international criminal networks to approach unemployed and financially vulnerable youngsters. Such individuals are reportedly offered money to collect information about sensitive locations and carry out other suspicious assignments.
The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks remain one of the darkest chapters in India's security history. Ten terrorists belonging to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out coordinated attacks across Mumbai, killing at least 166 people and injuring around 300 others.
Nariman House witnessed a prolonged hostage siege during the attacks, in which several people, including Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his pregnant wife Rivka, were killed.
The investigation into Singh's alleged activities is continuing, as security agencies examine possible links with wider networks and the purpose behind the reconnaissance.
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