UP ATS arrests 24-year-old over alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed links

The Uttar Pradesh ATS arrested 24-year-old Mohammad Zafar, alleging links with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed. The agency accused him of sharing inflammatory content, fundraising for jihad and communicating with Pakistani handlers. A case was registered under BNS and UAPA provisions

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on Monday arrested 24-year-old Mohammad Zafar, alias Mohammad Zaheer, allegedly linked to Pakistan-based banned terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). According to the ATS, the accused was involved in raising funds in the name of madrasa, sharing inflammatory and jihadi speeches by JeM chief Masood Azhar on social media, thereby inciting people to engage in violent jihad.

According to the ATS, the accused hails from the Purnia district in Bihar and had previously studied at a madrasa in Meerut. An analysis of his social media activity makes shocking disclosures. His timeline shows that he shared Masood Azhar’s inflammatory and jihadi speeches.

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The investigating agency, during interrogation, found that Zafar read about Jaish-e-Mohammed during his studies and was influenced by content related to jihad and the martyrdom of mujahideen. “Influenced by Masood Azhar, he developed a desire to become a mujahid, it said. The ATS also discovered several Pakistani jihadi WhatsApp groups on his mobile phone, containing conversations regarding jihad and fundraising. The ATS said that the accused used to make statements regarding jihad and the Caliphate on Facebook while keeping his face covered.

Further, he came in contact with several Pakistani handlers and offered to assist in the cause of jihad.
During interrogation, it was revealed that a Pakistani handler allegedly asked him to prepare to travel to Pakistan. Zafar attempted to send money, but the attempt was unsuccessful.

He then requested a Binance account from the handler and, after contacting other Pakistani suspects, transferred funds multiple times in the form of USDT via Binance. According to the ATS, Zafar has confessed to his crimes during interrogation. A case has been registered against him (Crime No. 13/2026) under Sections 152 and 61(2) of the BNS, as well as Sections 18 and 38 of the UAPA (1967).