ATS were probing if the ISIS sympathisers were planning a mass killing at the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. (Photo: Reuters)

Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested nine people on Tuesday and Wednesday for having links with terror outfit Islamic State (IS)

The accused told cops they were planning mass killings.

They had prepared few chemical mixtures and were going to mix it with water and food at big public gatherings.

The cops are investigating whether they were going to plan mass killings at Kumbh Mela.

The arrested persons are engineers and pharmacists. They were conducting tests to see if their pans would be succesful.

Various chemical concoctions were seized from them. One the accused is son of Underworld don Rashid Malbari.

All the accused said they were IS sympathisers. They had formed a group called Ummate Mohammadia.

Rashid Malabari is known to have attacked Chhota Rajan in Bangkok. He was detained last month in UAE.

"These people had created a terrorist gang inspired by the IS and were planning attacks at various places. However, before the gang could carry out any terror activity, the Maharashtra ATS arrested them. The gang was collecting explosive material to carry out terror acts," an ATS official said.