A man from Jammu and Kashmir was taken into custody on Saturday after he attempted to offer namaz inside the high-security temple complex in Ayodhya, triggering brief tension at the site. The individual, identified as Abu Ahmad Sheikh (around 50), a resident of Shopian district, entered the temple premises through Gate D1 in the morning, dressed in traditional Kashmiri attire.
According to security officials, Sheikh sat near the ‘Sita Rasoi’ area on the southern side of the temple complex and appeared to prepare for prayers. Alert personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and other security agencies immediately intervened and stopped him. When restrained, he reportedly raised religious slogans, causing momentary concern among devotees present at the premises.
Police swiftly shifted the man to a secure location for questioning and launched an investigation. Soon after the incident, officials from the Intelligence Bureau, local investigation agencies, and senior police officers reached the spot and began probing the incident from multiple angles to assess intent and possible security lapses.
During preliminary interrogation, the accused reportedly claimed that he sells shawls and had come to Ayodhya as a visitor. However, authorities are examining how he managed to breach the stringent security cordon at the temple complex and the motive behind his actions. Officials have since tightened screening procedures and deployed additional security personnel inside and around the temple premises to prevent any untoward incidents.