The Delhi Police Special Cell has dismantled an alleged inter-state terror and arms network backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), arresting four young men from Punjab on charges of conspiring to carry out a terror attack in the national capital. The arrests were announced by officials on Thursday, highlighting the involvement of Pakistan-based handler Shahzad Bhatti.
Accused Used Foreign Mobile Numbers to Evade Detection
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Praveen Kumar Tripathi, the accused were in contact with Bhatti and other Pakistan-based associates using foreign mobile numbers arranged by their handlers to avoid surveillance. The plot involved receiving arms and narcotics consignments dropped by drones from across the border.
One of the suspects was specifically tasked with conducting reconnaissance of police establishments and religious sites in Delhi, with the objective of executing a firing attack in the city.
Details of the Arrested Individuals
The four accused have been identified as Shubdeep Singh alias Vishal (23) and Gurjant Singh alias Rishi (22), both residents of Tarn Taran district; Sajan Singh alias Honey (28) from Amritsar district; and Gaganpreet (24) from Fatehgarh Sahib district. Three were arrested in Punjab, while Gaganpreet was apprehended in Delhi.
Police recovered two firearms—a Zigana pistol and a .30 bore pistol—along with nine live cartridges and five mobile phones during the operation.
Intelligence-Led Operation
The operation was launched based on credible and specific intelligence that Shahzad Bhatti and his associates were planning a terror attack in the Delhi-NCR region. Inputs indicated that youths from Punjab had been recruited for the conspiracy. Using source information and technical analysis, police identified suspects and conducted multiple raids across Delhi and Punjab.
The first arrest occurred on Majitha Road in Amritsar, where Shubdeep Singh was taken into custody. Police recovered a semi-automatic pistol, five live cartridges, and two mobile phones from his possession. During interrogation, Shubdeep allegedly revealed his contact with Pakistan-based handlers linked to the Bhatti network and that he had been receiving arms and narcotics via drone drops.
Role of Gaganpreet in the Conspiracy
On June 24, Gaganpreet was arrested in Delhi. Police seized a mobile phone containing incriminating evidence. He had allegedly been instructed by his Pakistan-based handlers to conduct reconnaissance of religious places and police establishments in Delhi and to carry out a firing incident.
Shubdeep, a resident of Tarn Taran near the India-Pakistan border, reportedly received drone-dropped consignments of arms and narcotics and communicated with ISI handlers through foreign mobile numbers. He had a prior arrest in an NDPS case.
Gurjant Singh and his cousin Sajan Singh allegedly assisted in receiving drone-delivered arms and narcotics while staying in contact with Pakistani handlers via foreign numbers. Sajan also had a previous NDPS arrest.
Gaganpreet, from Fatehgarh Sahib, was allegedly directed through social media by Pakistani handlers to scout police stations and pickets in Delhi and execute a firing attack, police added.
