Feb. 26: Two brothers with computer application degrees have been arrested in Gujarat on the charge of making bombs to carry out "lone wolf" attacks inspired by the Islamic State.

Wasim Ramodiya, a postgraduate in computer applications, and Naeem Ramodiya, a graduate, were arrested by an anti-terrorism squad in Bhavnagar this morning.

Police claimed that the two were in contact with IS handlers and were planning to target religious places like Chotila near Rajkot. "When we arrested them, they were in the process of making an improvised bomb to carry out lone-wolf style attacks," ATS officer B.S. Chavda said.

Gujarat ATS inspector-general J.K. Bhatt said the duo were arrested just in time. "They were in touch with some unknown handlers of the IS based in Iraq and Syria. We have nabbed them before they could execute their plan to attack some religious places in Gujarat," said Bhatt.

Their father Arif, a retired employee of Saurashtra University who now works as a cricket umpire, said: "I had absolutely no idea about their allegiance to the IS. No one from my family knew about it. This is really shameful for me. It has ruined my reputation."

The police said they had not found any involvement of other family members in the alleged conspiracy.

A preliminary probe suggested that the brothers were radicalised online and they had come into contact with the IS handlers based in Dubai nearly one and a half years ago, the sources claimed.

"They had plans to flee to Syria and Iraq after carrying out attacks in Gujarat," an official said.

IG Bhatt said explosives and extremist literature were found from the suspected IS operatives during raids on their residences in Rajkot and Bhavnagar.

"We have been keeping a close watch on them for the past three months. They were found to be in contact with the IS through Skype and other social media platforms like Telegram, Twitter and WhatsApp," Bhatt told reporters in Ahmedabad today.

The brothers were planning to attack a renowned shrine at Chotila, ACP Chavda said.

They planned to record and upload footage of the attack on social media. They had also planned to carry out blasts at different places and set vehicles on fire to spread terror, Chavda said.

Arif said he did not have any knowledge of the alleged activities of his sons.

Wasim used to work at a Rajkot-based graphic designing firm after completing his MCA, while Naeem was with a ship recycling unit in Bhavnagar after completing his BCA.

The brothers have been charged under the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosive Substances Act.

Neighbours said Wasim was an introvert. "This family has been living here for the past 15 to 20 years. But Wasim never talked to anyone or made any friends here. We are shocked to learn about his activities," a neighbour told reporters.

Last year, Union home minister Rajnath Singh had said India was aware of the threat posed by the IS and added that some youths getting attracted to the IS and joining the outfit were stray incidents.

The ministry had asked all states to treat youths radicalised by the IS with extreme sensitivity and avoid knee-jerk arrests.