Gulf News reported that Kerala Police arrested 20-year-old Yash Singh in a Thrissur terror case, while police allege he gathered information about a Mumbai Jewish center attacked in 2008.
Singh, from Airoli in Navi Mumbai, drew the attention of Maharashtra’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) after it received intelligence about suspected social media contacts with criminal and extremist networks, the outlet reported. During questioning, investigators allegedly found that Singh had been in contact with a person already arrested in a case under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) at Thrissur East Police Station. The Maharashtra ATS then alerted Thrissur Police. Officers traveled to Navi Mumbai to question Singh, and Kerala Police arrested him in connection with the existing case.
Gulf News cited The Indian Express for the account that Singh’s alleged links surfaced during an investigation into one of Kerala’s synagogue-arson cases.
Police said Singh was allegedly asked to photograph Chabad House, also called Nariman House, in Colaba, and collect details about Jewish- or foreign-owned businesses, vehicles and nearby locations. Investigators said he received money for the assignments. The Colaba site was attacked on Nov. 26, 2008, during the Mumbai attacks.
Gulf News reported that the alleged surveillance has raised security concerns ahead of the attacks’ 18th anniversary on Nov. 26. Investigators have not publicly confirmed that it was connected to a specific planned attack, the outlet said.
The ATS said Singh allegedly kept in touch with suspected operatives through Telegram. Investigators cited by Gulf News believe criminal networks recruit people for reconnaissance by offering payment. Officials told the outlet that Telegram, Instagram and WhatsApp were used to approach unemployed and financially vulnerable young people. They warned that recruits could be asked to photograph sensitive sites or gather information about people and businesses. Police urged parents and young people to be alert to suspicious online approaches and offers of money for such tasks.
