Ricin Poison: The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad says it has thwarted a major ISIS-linked plot after arresting three men,one of them a doctor,who were allegedly planning chemical and firearms-based attacks across multiple cities.
Doctor Accused of Preparing Ricin and Surveying Crowded Markets
According to investigators, the key accused, Ahmed Mohiyuddin Saiyed, 35, from Hyderabad, had spent nearly six months surveying extremely crowded public locations. Among them were Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi, Ahmedabad’s Naroda fruit market, and the RSS office in Lucknow.
Officials say Saiyed was not only carrying out reconnaissance but was also experimenting with the early stages of ricin preparation. Ricin is a highly toxic protein derived from castor seeds.
How the ATS Cracked the Case
Saiyed was arrested on November 7 near Adalaj in Gandhinagar, where ATS officers intercepted him with two Glock pistols, a Beretta handgun, 30 live cartridges, and several litres of castor oil.
The ATS statement noted that Saiyed had “procured equipment, raw material, and initiated initial processing” linked to ricin, though officials emphasised that all seized material is being forensically examined to determine if he had actually managed to produce any usable toxin.
Links to ISIS and International Radicalisation
Investigators believe Saiyed was influenced and guided by Abu Khadim, a member of the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP). Officers describe Saiyed as “highly educated and radicalised,” pointing out that he holds an MBBS degree from China and was allegedly attempting to recruit others into an ISIS-backed network.
Two More Arrested From Uttar Pradesh
The ATS also picked up Azad Suleman Sheikh (20) and Mohammad Suhail Mohammad Saleem (23) from Uttar Pradesh. Preliminary questioning suggests the trio were part of a broader module with multiple sleeper cells across different states.
Why Ricin Raises Serious Alarm
While ricin does not spread through the air like a virus,and poisoning cases are extremely rare,its toxicity makes it a substance that terror groups have tried to misuse in the past. Experts say early medical treatment can be effective, but any attempt to weaponise the toxin is treated as a grave threat by counter-terror agencies.
