Ahmedabad: Cyber Crime Crackdown by Gujarat ATS
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has apprehended two individuals, one of whom is a minor, on suspicion of hacking Indian websites and spreading anti-India messages online, officials reported on Tuesday.
The suspects include a minor boy and Jaseem Shahnawaz Ansari, who hails from Nadiad in the Kheda district of Gujarat. Both were involved in managing a Telegram channel where they showcased evidence of their hacking activities.
The operation, dubbed "Operation Sindoor," came in response to multiple alerts regarding cyberattacks targeting Indian websites. According to ATS DIG Sunil Joshi, the team frequently receives information about such activities. During this latest operation, it was discovered that certain elements were actively attempting to compromise Indian websites.
Inspector Dhruv Prajapati of Gujarat ATS was tipped off about Ansari and the minor’s involvement with a channel called ‘AnonSec.’ A special investigative team was assembled, and the suspects’ phones were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis.
The investigation uncovered that the suspects had previously created two other Telegram channels named ‘EXPLOITXSEC’ and ‘ELITEXPLOIT,’ which were later rebranded as ‘AnonSec.’ DIG Joshi noted that the backup channel was established to ensure their activities could continue even if their main channel was taken down.
Despite failing their Class 12 exams, both individuals rapidly developed their hacking skills in just six to eight months. Along with hacking websites, they were also found to be posting messages against India.
An FIR has been lodged regarding the case, and further investigations are ongoing.
