Kerala Anti-Terrorist Squad arrests Malappuram man in fresh UAPA case for ‘anti-national links’

The Keralam Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has registered a fresh case and arrested a native of Malappuram for his alleged links to an anti-national group after probing an offensive comment he allegedly posted under a video featuring the daughter of the Pahalgam terror attack victim, sources said on Thursday (10 Sep 2026).

Muhammed Sanoof (26), a native of Aikkarappadi in Malappuram district, was detained in July this year on arrival at the Karipur airport on his way back from Saudi Arabia.

Last year, the Muttam police in Idukki district registered a case against Sanoof for allegedly posting an offensive comment under a video featuring the daughter of N Ramachandran, a native of Kochi who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.

The police later applied the Unlawful Activities Act (UAPA) against him.

According to police sources, the Keralam ATS registered a fresh case after evidence surfaced during the Idukki police investigation.

An examination of Sanoof’s mobile phone reportedly revealed his links with some anti-national groups, officials said.

The investigation also allegedly found that he was part of the Signal messaging group, which was allegedly involved in a conspiracy to carry out anti-national activities across India, sources said.

Based on the evidence, the ATS registered a case against Sanoof and other members of the group last month.

Another charge

Others named as accused in the case are Azhari Kuraishi, Faizan Mohammed, Shaheer, Shoeb Ammed and Ibn Ahamed, sources said.

Efforts are on to identify and trace the other accused who are suspected to be from different parts of the country, they said.

A case was registered under Section 148 (Whoever conspires to commit offenses to wage war or aids in waging war against the Government of India) and Section 149 (Whoever collects men, arms or ammunition or otherwise prepares to wage war with intent to wage or be prepared to wage war against the Government of India) Bharatiya (Nyaya).

In addition, the ATS also charged the accused persons with Sections 18 (conspiracy or attempt to commit an act of terrorism) and 18B (recruitment of a person to commit an act of terrorism) of the UAPA.

Sanoof was recently arrested in a second case, officials said.

Sanoof was produced before the Ernakulam Additional District and Sessions Court on Wednesday.

After considering the remand plea, Additional District and Sessions Judge Suresh Babu VPM sent him to ATS custody till September 18.

The ATS has also informed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) about the case, sources said.

The ATS is probing whether the group was involved in any terrorist activities in the country, sources added.

Published – 10 Sep 2026 11:57 IST