New Delhi: Delhi Police Special Cell has busted a multi-state terror-crime syndicate allegedly operated under the direction of Pakistan-based ISI handler Shahzad Bhatti, arresting seven accused from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, police said on Wednesday.
The operation was carried out by the Eastern Range of the Special Cell. According to police, the arrested individuals are part of an eight-member module with alleged links to Pakistani handler Shahzad Bhatti and his associate Ajmal Gujjar, a gangster-turned-terrorist.
Police said the syndicate was involved in smuggling illegal arms, ammunition and narcotic substances from Pakistan into India via Punjab.
“They were also planning to carry out a major terrorist incident in Delhi-NCR under the instructions of Pakistani terrorist Shahzad Bhatti and his associate Ajmal Gujjar,” Delhi Police said.
During the operation, police recovered five semi-automatic pistols, 41 live cartridges, a Scorpio vehicle allegedly used by the syndicate, and seven mobile phones containing incriminating chats and voice notes linked to Pakistan-based handlers. Digital evidence was also seized, police added.
According to police, the accused were tasked with multiple assignments, including targeting police personnel in Delhi and neighbouring states. They were also directed to paste posters glamorising Pakistani handlers and paint graffiti in Delhi-NCR to promote the ISI-sponsored outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan (TTH).
Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan recently claimed responsibility for the killing of an Assistant Sub-Inspector in Majitha, Amritsar, police said.
The arrests come against the backdrop of heightened security concerns following the India-Pakistan military standoff earlier this year. Security agencies have flagged a pattern of Pakistan-based handlers using criminal and drug networks to finance and execute terror operations inside India.
Delhi Police said the accused were using cross-border drug and weapons pipelines through Punjab to fund their activities and acquire weapons for use in Delhi-NCR and neighbouring states.
The Special Cell’s Eastern Range conducted the operation across multiple states, reflecting the module’s spread across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
Police said the remaining member of the eight-member module is yet to be arrested. A manhunt is underway for the absconding accused, and further investigation is in progress.
Authorities said the recovery of digital evidence, including chats and voice notes, will help establish direct communication links between the arrested operatives and their Pakistan-based handlers. The case has been handed over for further investigation.
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