20-Year-Old Held For Spying On Mumbai's Sensitive Locations, Including 26/11 Target Chabad House

A 20-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly conducting reconnaissance of sensitive locations in Mumbai, including the Chabad House, a Jewish community centre, on the instructions of international criminal syndicates and anti-national elements, an official said on Saturday.

Yash Singh, a resident of Airoli in Navi Mumbai, was initially detained by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) based on inputs about his social media contacts with anti-national handlers. He was later taken into custody by the Kerala police in connection with a case registered in Thrissur district, the official said.

Singh allegedly told police that social media handlers linked to mafia gangs and subversive elements had tasked him with conducting reconnaissance of sensitive areas in South Mumbai, particularly around Colaba. “His assignments included photographing and pinpointing the exact locations of the Chabad House, businesses owned by Jewish individuals, and areas frequented by foreign nationals.

He received money in exchange for these activities,” the official said. The Chabad House was among the locations targeted by Pakistani terrorists during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. Further investigation found that Singh was allegedly in direct contact with anti-national elements through Telegram, linking him to an accused already arrested in a case registered at Thrissur East police station under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Following an alert from the Maharashtra ATS, a Thrissur police team travelled to Navi Mumbai and formally arrested Singh after confirming his alleged involvement in the conspiracy, the official said. According to officials, overseas-based crime syndicates, including the Pakistan-based 'Shahzad Bhatti Network', have allegedly been using Telegram, Instagram and WhatsApp to identify unemployed and financially vulnerable youths for reconnaissance and subversive activities.

ATS officials have urged parents and young citizens to remain vigilant, avoid engaging with unknown contacts online and refrain from sharing photographs or information about sensitive locations in exchange for money. Yash Singh, a 20-year-old from Navi Mumbai, was arrested for allegedly conducting reconnaissance of sensitive locations like Chabad House in Mumbai.

He was reportedly acting on instructions from international criminal syndicates. Singh was assigned to photograph and pinpoint the Chabad House, businesses owned by Jewish individuals, and areas in South Mumbai frequented by foreign nationals.

He received money for these tasks. Overseas-based syndicates, like the 'Shahzad Bhatti Network,' allegedly use Telegram, Instagram, and WhatsApp to target unemployed and financially vulnerable youths for reconnaissance and subversive tasks.

Sneha is a Senior Copy Editor at ABP Live English, covering national and global news, politics, and social developments. She approaches every story with clarity, accuracy, and a reader-focused perspective. She holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication from Central University of Jharkhand.