The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has uncovered a dangerous conspiracy involving ricin a highly toxic substance allegedly plotted by Hyderabad native Ahmed Mohiuddin Syed (35). Investigators say Syed not only planned to execute a bioterror attack but was also in touch with ISIS-linked handlers abroad and sought support to “separate South India from India”.
Syed, who completed his medical degree in China but failed to clear India’s MCI licensing exam, reportedly attempted to weaponise ricin using castor seeds. The FIR states that he studied various online methods to extract the poison and was preparing to use the residue left after oil extraction.
According to ATS sources, Syed was in communication with Abu Khadija, believed to be the chief of the Islamic State’s Khorasan Province (ISKP) based in Afghanistan. Syed allegedly conveyed that to turn “South India into a separate nation”, he needed funds and weapons.
Before his arrest, Syed was employed as a medical consultant for multinational companies, earning nearly Rs 90,000 a month, and simultaneously running a food-related business. Investigators say he had teamed up with two accomplices and was arrested while moving through Uttar Pradesh.
The ATS investigation reveals that Syed became heavily radicalised through Telegram groups. A year ago, a provocative video depicting alleged atrocities against Muslim women and men circulated in a Telegram group. Syed reportedly responded aggressively, calling on others to “unite and resist” and seek his support if they could not act themselves.
Shortly afterwards, Syed allegedly received a call from a Pakistani number, inviting him to join an extremist organization. Although the call did not recur, he became increasingly active across multiple extremist Telegram channels, frequently posting about “jihad”, discussing religious issues, and sharing grievances about alleged discrimination.
The FIR notes that through Telegram, Syed eventually made contact with Abu Khadija (@abuqasim00). Their conversations focused on “atrocities against Muslims” and the lack of retaliation. Khadija then shared videos, speeches and books promoting jihad, further influencing Syed.
Investigators say Syed told Khadija that he lived in South India and wanted to build a strong group of Muslim youth to work under a “separate South India” mission. He allegedly requested funds and weapons for this purpose.
Khadija, according to the FIR, agreed and even designated Syed as the “Ameer (commander) of South India”, promising financial support to procure weapons worth Rs 2 crore.
To begin with, Khadija allegedly instructed him to collect a Rs 1 lakh advance in Ahmedabad.
Khadija allegedly instructed Syed to prepare ricin, a deadly poison derived from castor seeds. Syed reportedly bought 10 kg of castor seeds and studied extraction techniques using Google and even ChatGPT, as documented in the FIR.
ATS recovered 4 kg of castor seeds from his house. Syed told investigators he had crushed the seeds for oil extraction, mixed the residue with acetone, and stored the mixture in a drum, intending to produce ricin. He also purchased two $10 notes, measuring cups, bottles, and bags as directed by Khadija.
On November 5, Syed left Hyderabad in a Ford Figo and checked into a hotel near Lal Darwaja in Ahmedabad on November 7. Per Khadija’s instructions, he collected a bag reportedly containing weapons. ATS officers, who had been monitoring him closely, intercepted him at the Adalaj toll plaza and arrested him.
Inside his car, ATS found:
- 2 Glock pistols
- 1 Beretta pistol
- 30 cartridges
- 4 litres of castor oil
Investigations revealed that the weapons were smuggled from Pakistan via drones across the Rajasthan border. Two men Azad Suleman Sheikh and Mohammad Suhail Mohammad Saleem have also been arrested for facilitating the transfer.
Two undertrial prisoners assaulted Syed inside Sabarmati Central Jail on November 18. Sources say his sister, who is a doctor, and his brother-in-law have distanced themselves from him due to his extremist activities. His wife, too, had reportedly left him years earlier.
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