Delhi Police have caught a terror module linked to Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terrorist Shahzad Bhatti and six other suspects in separate raids in Delhi and Punjab.
According to officials, the operation was followed by the recovery of firearms, petrol bombs and vehicles that were destined for use in planning attacks. Investigators believe that the module was planning to carry out bomb attacks in crowded places and planned to do so with the help of their alleged handler Shahzad Bhatti before they went back to their target locations.
Of these six, two were arrested in Delhi and the rest in Punjab. The investigation is on to find out the full extent of the alleged network and catch any more operatives or supporters.
Who is Shahzad Bhatti?
A Pakistan-based gangster known for terrorism and cross-border criminal activities, Shahzad Bhatti is among them, Indian intelligence agencies have said. He is also involved in terror-related conspiracies and drug smuggling networks across the India-Pakistan border.
Bhatti has been accused by security agencies of orchestrating plots on the likes of Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Punjab. Investigators also say he has used social media to recruit young people and attract them in India for terror-related activities.
Bhatti’s network has tried to radicalise and recruit local operatives by offering financial incentives for carrying out various tasks, the authorities say.
Alleged Recruitment and Terror Conspiracies
Bhatti allegedly paid recruits to put up posters of the banned outfit "Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan" to participate in more serious terror conspiracies, police sources said.
Some recruits were offered about ₹5,000 to paste posters, and large sums were promised for attacks against security personnel, investigators said. Police are investigating this, they said.
Last month, Delhi police arrested 12 people linked to Bhatti's network. They were Anas, Karanveer Singh, Mohit, Deepak Agrola, Arif, Sabir and Jatan from Delhi-NCR. “They were vegetable vendors, money lenders and food vendors in different industries,” said Delhi-NCR officials, adding that all the accused had different backgrounds.
The new suspects were identified as having operational links to those arrested earlier, they said.
Links to Previous Attacks Under Investigation
Security agencies have also investigated whether there is any link between Bhatti's alleged network and earlier violence. In February this year, two Punjab Police personnel were shot dead in the border village of Adhian, one of them by a group called Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan.
Investigators are still looking into the activities of the group, the financial networks they have been able to establish, and whether they have any cross-border connections, officials said.
The latest operation is part of Delhi Police’s continuing efforts to dismantle terror networks allegedly operating with support from across the border and to prevent planned attacks against civilians and security forces.
