Delhi Police Bust Pakistan-Backed Terror Network: Three Arrested in Multi-State Operation

Search operations are underway to trace other operatives of the module, police said. (Representational)

New Delhi:

The Special Cell of Delhi Police has dismantled a Pakistan-backed terror network led by Shahzad Bhatti, a gangster-turned-terrorist currently operating from Pakistan, according to an official statement on Sunday.

Authorities have apprehended three key operatives from the network - one each from Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Police confiscated a semi-automatic pistol, 10 live cartridges, and mobile phones containing incriminating communications and surveillance videos, stated Additional Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Singh Kushwah.

"The network was responsible for the November 25 grenade attack outside the City police station in Punjab's Gurdaspur, executed on Bhatti's directives. Bhatti has been managing operations from Pakistan using encrypted platforms and social media channels," the Additional CP explained.

"The arrested individuals have been identified as Vikas Prajapati alias Betu (19) from Datia in Madhya Pradesh, Hargunpreet Singh alias Gurkaranpreet Singh (19) from Firozpur in Punjab, and Asif alias Arish (22) from Bijnaur in Uttar Pradesh," the officer added.

He noted that the breakthrough emerged after a team began monitoring Bhatti's activities, including his online communication patterns.

Investigators discovered that Prajapati, wanted in an arms-smuggling case, maintained frequent contact with Bhatti via social media. Prajapati's location alternated between Gurdaspur and Delhi, with Bhatti regularly instructing him to deactivate his cellphone to avoid detection, the officer reported.

"Prajapati was apprehended in Madhya Pradesh following a two-day search. His interrogation revealed the network's operational methods. Bhatti and his Pakistan-based associates targeted young Indians through social media, enticing them with financial incentives and romanticized gangster lifestyles," the Additional CP stated.

The organization selected recruits by reviewing their profiles, provided remote instructions for reconnaissance, arranged digital payments, and utilized them as disposable operatives for terrorist activities, according to the officer.

Prajapati informed police that he initiated contact with Bhatti through social media after being influenced by his online presence.

Bhatti allegedly employed Prajapati to receive a weapons shipment in Gurdaspur, which contained a grenade. Following Bhatti's instructions, Prajapati conducted surveillance of the City police station in Gurdaspur and the Town Hall police station in Amritsar, before transferring the grenade to Hargunpreet Singh and an associate.

During questioning, Hargunpreet, who completed 12th grade in Firozpur, admitted to executing the grenade attack on November 25 outside the City police station while riding as a passenger on a motorcycle operated by an accomplice.

The third suspect, Asif, was also recruited through social media and had received instructions to prepare for a similar grenade attack in Punjab, for which Bhatti shared location maps and photographs with him, the officer revealed.

Search operations continue to locate additional members of the network, according to police.