Three linked to Pakistan’s Shehzad Bhatti arrested in Lucknow for plot to kill security personnel
Lucknow, Oct 30 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Friday foiled an alleged plot to carry out targeted killing of police or military officials in Lucknow by arresting three accused linked to the banned Shehzad Bhatti Network (SBN) of Pakistan, officials said.
Police said that a juvenile has also been taken into custody.
Preliminary interrogation of the arrested accused revealed that they had reached Lucknow on the instructions of a Pakistani handler known as ‘Rana Bhai’. They were allegedly tasked with killing a police or military personnel and sending a video of the act to the handler. The ATS recovered a foreign-made pistol and 20 foreign-made cartridges from the accused.
According to ADG, Law and Order, Amitabh Yash, intelligence inputs indicated that members of the banned Shehzad Bhatti Network were using youths from Punjab to carry out terrorist activities in India and target army and police establishments.
During the investigation, it was found that gangster Gagandeep Singh and his associates were in contact with Pakistani handler Rana Bhai.
Acting on this information, the ATS arrested the four individuals on Friday. The arrested accused have been identified as Gagandeep Singh, 26, of Amritsar, Rajat Kumar, 19, and Krish, 21, of Gurdaspur (Punjab). A juvenile has also been placed under police supervision.
During preliminary questioning, the accused further revealed that they had been promised Rs 3 lakh for carrying out the assignment. They said that they left Amritsar on October 27, travelled via Delhi, and reached Lucknow around midnight on October 29. The accused remained in contact with Rana Bhai through Instagram and WhatsApp.
After arriving in Lucknow, the arrested individuals reportedly recorded a video of Lucknow Railway Station and sent it to the handler as instructed. During questioning, it also emerged that Rana Bhai had told them that weapons and ammunition would be supplied from Pakistan.
Upon reaching Lucknow, the accused were allegedly provided with a pistol and cartridges through a local contact. The handler also transferred Rs 2,500 to each on two occasions for their expenses. They were allegedly promised that after completing the operation, they would be assisted to escape to Nepal.
Preliminary investigations by the ATS have found WhatsApp accounts operated through virtual numbers and communication with foreign numbers on the accused’s mobile phones. Examination of the phones also revealed suspicious chats, videos, and information related to reconnaissance of sensitive installations. Investigators believe the locations of these sites were shared with the Pakistani handler.
A case has been registered at the ATS Police Station in Lucknow under Case No. 16/2026 under Sections 152 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Sections 3/25 of the Arms Act, and Sections 18 and 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The ATS is now investigating other individuals linked to the conspiracy, local collaborators, the weapon supply network, and financial transactions connected to the case. Police are also expected to seek custody remand of the accused for further interrogation.
–IANS
cg/vd
