Mumbai: ATS Arrests Rapido Rider Near Mahim Metro Station Over Alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed Links

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 33-year-old man, Mohammad Hasan Abu Sarmad Akhtar, near Mahim Metro station in Mumbai over alleged links with the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed. The ATS alleges the man, who worked as a Rapido rider and sold perfumes, ran a Telegram group sharing speeches by Jaish chief Masood Azhar and was in contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives. All the claims are allegations made by the agency; the investigation is ongoing and nothing has been established in court.

Awaaz Punjab Investigations Desk24 October 20262 min readRead in all 3 languages

Mumbai, October 24 — The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 33-year-old man near Mahim Metro station in Mumbai over alleged links with Jaish-e-Mohammed, the Pakistan-based organisation banned in India. The accused, identified as Mohammad Hasan Abu Sarmad Akhtar, was apprehended by the ATS's Kalachowki unit following a tip-off, News18 reported. According to the agency, he worked as a Rapido rider and also sold perfumes.

Source: News18 via DainikNews Live

According to the ATS, the accused allegedly operated a Telegram group on which he uploaded inflammatory audio speeches by Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar on June 1, 2026, and was an active subscriber to a Pakistan-backed extremist Telegram channel called IBN-e-Qasim. The agency alleges he used social media and messaging platforms to circulate inflammatory content linked to extremist ideology, The Times of Bengal reported. Investigators are examining his mobile phone and digital records.

Source: The Times of Bengal

The ATS has said its preliminary investigation suggests the accused was in direct contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives — a claim made by the agency that has not been independently established. Investigators also found an Instagram comment allegedly posted by him on a report about a security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mumbai, and the agency said objectionable material was allegedly found on his phone. According to a report by ABP Live cited in coverage of the arrest, a case has been registered under Section 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with promoting enmity between groups and acts prejudicial to communal harmony.

Source: News18 via DainikNews Live

The Free Press Journal and Daily Kiran also reported the arrest, describing the same ATS account of alleged online extremist activity and Pakistan contacts under probe. The ATS is now investigating the accused's alleged network and trying to identify others who may be connected to the case. The allegations against Akhtar have not been established in court, and further details will depend on the evidence gathered by the agency.

Sources