Pak-backed terror network busted in Delhi, 7 held: Police
New Delhi: Delhi Police dismantled an alleged Pakistan-backed terror-crime module operating in Delhi-NCR, arresting seven operatives accused of smuggling arms and narcotics from Pakistan and carrying out reconnaissance of potential targets, the photos of which were allegedly shared with handlers across the border, officials said on Tuesday.
The accused were allegedly working for Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terrorist Shahzad Bhatti and his associate Ajmal Gujjar, who investigators believe were operating under the patronage of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Police said the network was involved in procuring and distributing illegal arms, ammunition and narcotic substances smuggled from Pakistan through drone drops in Punjab and subsequently supplied in Delhi-NCR.
The seven arrested accused have been identified as Anas alias Anas Tyagi (26), Mohit alias Yogi (26), Deepak alias Deepak Agrola (38), Arif alias Pradhan (30), Karanveer Singh (26), Jatan (29) and Sabir (30). Several of them have criminal histories involving murder, attempt to murder, dacoity, the Arms Act and the NDPS Act, police said.
Five sophisticated semi-automatic pistols, 41 live cartridges, seven mobile phones containing incriminating chats and voice notes allegedly linked to Bhatti and Gujjar, and a SUV were seized during the operation. Police also recovered details of multiple bank accounts allegedly used for transferring proceeds generated through the sale of narcotics and illegal weapons.
According to police, intelligence inputs received in May indicated that Bhatti and Gujjar were conspiring to carry out attacks in Delhi-NCR through youths recruited via social media platforms.
Acting on the information, police laid a trap and apprehended Mohit near the Bhagirath Water Treatment Plant in Yamuna Vihar. One illegal pistol, four live cartridges and a mobile phone allegedly containing chats with Gujjar were recovered from him.
His interrogation led investigators to a wider network allegedly engaged in smuggling weapons and narcotics, recruiting operatives and conducting reconnaissance of potential targets.
Police said Anas disclosed during questioning that Bhatti and Gujjar had instructed members of the network to survey various public places and other sensitive locations in Delhi-NCR. Photographs and videos of these sites were allegedly sent to handlers in Pakistan for further planning.
Investigators said the syndicate used social media platforms and encrypted communication channels to identify and recruit vulnerable youths. Recruits were allegedly lured with promises of quick money, criminal influence and an extravagant lifestyle before being drawn into arms trafficking, narcotics distribution and reconnaissance activities.
The probe further revealed that the network relied on encrypted applications, anonymous social media accounts, disposable mobile numbers, hawala channels and dead-drop delivery mechanisms to evade detection.
Police alleged that Mohit, Arif, Anas and an absconding accused were initially involved in informal money-lending activities and carried illegal firearms to intimidate borrowers. Through social media, they allegedly came into contact with Ajmal Gujjar while seeking sophisticated weapons.
Investigators claimed that Arif purchased a pistol from Gujjar for Rs 1 lakh, with payments routed through multiple accounts linked to persons working abroad. The group later became involved in transporting heroin and other narcotic substances from Punjab into Delhi-NCR using dead-drop methods.
The probe also found that jailed gangster Deepak Agrola was introduced to Gujjar through Anas and allegedly facilitated procurement of illegal weapons through associates operating outside prison.
Police said efforts are underway to trace absconding operatives, identify suppliers and recipients involved in the cross-border smuggling network and uncover the complete extent of the conspiracy.
Further investigation is in progress.
