Udham Singh Nagar: On June 17, the Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) arrested Mohammad Salauddin, a resident of Gadarpur in Udham Singh Nagar district, for allegedly using social media platforms to radicalise youth and promote extremist and anti-national content.
#UttarakhandPolice STF ने सोशल मीडिया के जरिए युवाओं को कट्टरपंथ की ओर प्रभावित कर देशविरोधी गतिविधियों को बढ़ावा देने के आरोप में मो सलाउद्दीन को गदरपुर, ऊधमसिंहनगर से गिरफ्तार किया
जांच में विदेशी हैंडलरों से संपर्क के तथ्य सामने आए। निशानदेही पर पिस्तौल,कारतूस, डेटोनेटर बरामद pic.twitter.com/AaT6dEkjJO
— Uttarakhand Police (@uttarakhandcops) June 18, 2026
Police officials said the arrest was made based on intelligence inputs. According to the STF, he was active on platforms such as Instagram, Telegram and Signal, where he was allegedly attempting to influence young users and connect them with radical and jihadist ideology.
Speaking to the media, the STF Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) said the accused was allegedly trying to promote activities that could threaten social harmony, national unity, integrity, and security.
He stated: “Acting on confidential intelligence inputs, Mohammad Salauddin, son of Abdul Malik and a resident of Gadarpur in Udham Singh Nagar district, was taken into custody for questioning. He is accused of using various social media platforms, including Instagram, Telegram, and Signal, to influence young people and allegedly promote radical and jihadist ideology, while attempting to encourage activities detrimental to social harmony, national unity, integrity, and security.”
Radical chats found on Telegram and Signal
The STF said a detailed examination of Salauddin’s mobile phone revealed multiple groups, chats, and messages on Telegram and Signal allegedly linked to jihad, martyrdom, and anti-national content.
Preliminary findings suggest attempts were being made to mislead and radicalise young users and push them towards extremist beliefs. Officials also said the accused had reportedly developed radical views after being influenced by certain incidents. Investigators further found that some chats and contacts had been deleted, and a detailed technical and forensic analysis of the device and other digital evidence is currently underway.
Weapons and explosive materials recovered
Following interrogation, the STF conducted a late-night search operation and recovered an English pistol, five cartridges, four detonators, and two AK-47 cartridges. Officials also discovered suspicious conversations related to the storage and movement of weapons and explosive materials, which are now being examined through forensic and technical analysis.
According to the SSP, initial interrogation and intelligence inputs suggest that Salauddin was in contact with a Pakistan-linked handler based in Malaysia. The STF also claimed that the accused was allegedly preparing to execute a specific incident, though details have not been disclosed.
Investigators are now working to map the wider network and examine possible international and cross-border links through social media platforms.
The STF said Salauddin was also in contact with a person based in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, whose role is currently under scrutiny. Based on the inputs gathered, STF teams have launched searches in Uttar Pradesh to identify and apprehend others suspected to be part of the network.
Given the seriousness of the allegations, the STF has registered a case under Sections 152 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 66(C) and 66(F) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
