LUCKNOW, Sept. 30 -- The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Monday arrested an alleged key conspirator behind a plot to form a 'Mujahideen Army' from Kerala and impose Sharia law in the state. Officials confirmed the arrest in a press note on Tuesday.

The accused was identified as Mohammed Raza, a resident of Andoli in Fatehpur district in UP operating from Malappuram in Kerala. He was arrested there and was being brought to Lucknow after the ATS procured his transit remand from a local court, officials said.

According to officials, the ATS had intelligence inputs about a group of men from different districts of UP, influenced by radical Pakistani organisations, plotting to overthrow the elected government through "violent jiha...