Gujarat ATS Foils Major ISIS Terror Plot; Doctor Among Three Held for Preparing Ricin Poison
In a major counter-terror breakthrough, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested three suspected ISIS operatives — including a doctor — accused of planning a large-scale terror attack using toxic chemical agents and weapons. The operation, carried out jointly with central intelligence agencies, has unearthed alarming evidence suggesting an attempt to weaponise ricin, one of the deadliest known toxins.
Doctor Allegedly Preparing Ricin for Attack
According to officials, the doctor — whose identity is being withheld for investigation purposes — had allegedly been experimenting with ricin extraction from castor plant seeds. Ricin, a naturally occurring protein found in castor beans, can be fatal even in microgram quantities if inhaled, injected, or ingested.
Investigators revealed that the accused had conducted detailed reconnaissance of several high-density public areas, including Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi, Ahmedabad’s Naroda fruit market, and the RSS office in Lucknow, over the last six months. These crowded locations were being assessed as potential targets due to the high footfall and symbolic significance.
Chemical and Electronic Evidence Seized
The ATS and central agencies are now conducting a forensic analysis of the seized materials, including digital devices and chemical substances recovered during raids. Officials are trying to determine the source of the chemicals and whether the suspects had already initiated experimental preparation of ricin in small quantities.
A senior ATS officer confirmed that laboratory samples and chat records indicate “preliminary chemical trials” and communications with possible foreign handlers. “The intent was to develop a crude chemical weapon for a mass-casualty attack,” the officer said on condition of anonymity.
Ties to Broader ISIS Network
The three accused — two residents of Uttar Pradesh and one from Hyderabad — were taken into custody following a coordinated operation involving the Gujarat ATS, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Preliminary interrogation has revealed that they were part of an ISIS-linked sleeper cell operating across multiple states.
Investigators suspect the cell had been radicalized online and was receiving encrypted instructions from overseas handlers associated with ISIS modules in South Asia. Authorities are now tracing financial transactions, online communications, and travel histories to map out the broader network.
What Is Ricin and Why It’s Dangerous
Ricin poisoning is rare but extremely dangerous. The toxin, extracted from castor beans, prevents cells from producing essential proteins, leading to organ failure. Even a few milligrams can be lethal. However, experts note that cases of deliberate ricin use are extremely uncommon because of the difficulty in purifying and dispersing it effectively.
“While ricin is not a contagious agent, it can cause mass panic if used in public places like markets or transport hubs,” said a senior toxicologist from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). “Immediate medical attention can save lives in low-dose exposures, but prevention is the only real defense.”
Nationwide Alert and Further Investigations
Following the arrests, the ATS has issued alerts to several states, warning them to heighten surveillance on chemical procurement and storage activities. Raids and searches are being conducted in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana to locate other suspects connected to the network.
Officials described the arrests as one of the most significant anti-terror operations in recent years involving chemical weapon threats. “The intention was catastrophic — but early intelligence and swift coordination between agencies helped avert a potential tragedy,” a senior ATS officer said.
As of now, the three men are being held under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and are undergoing extensive interrogation. The investigation continues to uncover whether they had established contact with ISIS handlers abroad or were operating independently under ideological influence.
