In a joint operation, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and Special Task Force (STF) on Wednesday dismantled a suspected sleeper cell allegedly operating under the direction of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and linked to Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti. Four suspects were arrested from Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district.
Accused Identified
The accused have been identified as Mehkab (22) and Shahrukh (20), both residents of Saharanpur; Gagandeep, also known as Guri Singh (25), from Muzaffarnagar; and Musharraf (22), a resident of Haridwar. Officials stated that the individuals were part of a network attempting to recruit and radicalize Indian youth through social media platforms and online communication channels.
Legal Proceedings
A case has been registered at the ATS police station in Lucknow. Authorities said they will seek custodial remand of the accused from the court to obtain information regarding their associates and other individuals connected with the network.
Modus Operandi
According to investigators, Pakistani handlers Shahzad Bhatti and his aide Abid Jat were operating under directions from the ISI and using social media platforms to lure Indian youth by promising financial aid. The network was systematically attempting to create sleeper cells and motivate recruits to participate in terror-linked and destructive activities in India, authorities claimed.
Coordination and Investigation
The ATS and STF launched a coordinated operation across Uttar Pradesh after identifying suspicious individuals and monitoring their activities. During the investigation, ATS teams gathered intelligence inputs and initiated legal action based on the findings.
Preliminary Findings
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the accused were in regular contact with their Pakistani handlers through social media applications and video-calling platforms. Investigators said the suspects were instructed to gather information related to sensitive installations, hospitals, and other potential targets. They were also tasked with expanding the network by recruiting more youth and encouraging them to participate in anti-national activities.
Meeting in Noida
Police further claimed that in March 2026, Mehkab and Gagandeep met in Noida to discuss plans related to carrying out a major attack. During the meeting, discussions reportedly took place regarding financial arrangements and procurement of weapons.
Official Statement
Uttar Pradesh's Additional Director General (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash said, “Initial investigations indicate attempts to build sleeper cells and establish contacts with foreign handlers. Further legal action is being taken, and all links associated with the network are being investigated.”
Previous Arrests
The arrests come barely a month after the ATS busted another alleged Pakistan-linked network in Uttar Pradesh run by Shahzad Bhatti and his associate Abid Jat. In that case, the ATS had arrested Tushar Chauhan, alias Hizbullah Ali Khan (20), who allegedly issued death threats through WhatsApp calls while keeping Pakistani handlers connected on conference calls. Investigators had then claimed that the handlers directly monitored conversations and reinforced threats issued to targets, particularly individuals who had embraced Hinduism.
The ATS traced more than 20 such threat calls and claimed the Pakistan-based number involved had links with Bhatti and Abid Jat. Officials further alleged that Tushar had been radicalized online and, along with co-accused Sameer Khan, was preparing reconnaissance and planning attacks at selected targets in Delhi-NCR under instructions from foreign handlers.
Recurring Pattern
Officials believe the recurrence of Bhatti's name in successive investigations suggests attempts by Pakistan-based handlers to exploit social media and encrypted platforms for recruitment, radicalization, and creating local modules in India.
