RICIN TERROR ATTACK
What Happened
- The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) busted a suspected terror plot and arrested three people, including a doctor with a Chinese MBBS degree, for allegedly planning a chemical terror attack using Ricin, a deadly poison.
- The main accused, Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed, was reportedly in contact with a handler linked to the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) — an extremist group based in Afghanistan.
- Two other accused, Azad Suleman Sheikh and Mohammad Suhail Mohammad Saleem, were also held for supplying weapons and helping with the plan.
KEY DETAILS OF THE CASE
- Main Accused:
- Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed, from Hyderabad, was arrested near Adalaj in Gandhinagar district.
- The ATS seized from him:
- 2 Glock pistols
- 1 Beretta pistol
- 30 live cartridges
- 4 litres of castor oil (raw material for making Ricin
- Nature of the Plot:
- Saiyed had started researching and preparing Ricin, gathering the equipment and chemicals
- He had also conducted recce (surveillance) of sensitive locations in Lucknow, Delhi, and Ahmedabad.
- He planned to collect funds, recruit people, and carry out large-scale terrorist activities.
- Terror Network:
- Handler: Abu Khadija, an Afghan national linked to ISKP and connected with people in Pakistan.
- Arms were allegedly sent through drones from across the Pakistan border.
- Sheikh and Saleem, both from Uttar Pradesh, had procured the weapons from Hanumangadh, Rajasthan, and delivered them to Saiyed.
- Evidence Seized:
- 3 mobile phones
- 2 laptops
- Weapons and castor oil
- Call records showed they had been doing reconnaissance for almost a year.
LEGAL ACTION
- The trio has been charged under:
- Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
- Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS)
- Arms Act
- Saiyed is in ATS custody till November 17, 2025.
- The other two were produced in court on November 9.
- The ATS is also coordinating with Central and State agencies for further investigation.
ABOUT RICIN
| Feature | Details |
| Source | Found naturally in castor beans |
| Production | Can be made from waste material left after processing castor beans |
| Forms | Powder, mist, pellet, or dissolved in water/weak acid |
| Stability | Stable under normal conditions; destroyed at temperatures above 80°C (176°F) |
| Toxicity | Extremely poisonous when inhaled, eaten, or injected; 5–10 micrograms per kg can be fatal |
| How it Works | Ricin enters body cells and stops them from making proteins needed for survival, leading to cell death |
| Effect on Body | Damages organs and can cause death if not treated quickly |
| Accidental Exposure | Very rare; usually from swallowing castor seeds |
| Treatment | No specific antidote; treatment focuses on supportive medical care (helping the body recover) |
| Why Dangerous | Considered a potential biological weapon because it is easy to produce and highly toxic |
WHY THIS MATTERS?
- Highlights the growing threat of chemical and biological weapons in terrorism.
- Shows the importance of strong intelligence coordination among states and central agencies.
- Serves as a reminder that education doesn’t prevent radicalisation — awareness and monitoring are key.
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