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New Delhi, July 2
Four men from Punjab have been arrested for allegedly plotting a terror attack in Delhi-NCR under the direction of Pakistan-based handlers linked to the ISI, according to the Delhi Police Special Cell. The police said that the arrests have uncovered what they describe as a wider cross-border network involving the smuggling of arms and narcotics by drones and the recruitment of young people for terror-related activities.
The accused — Shubdeep Singh, also known as Vishal (23), Gurjant Singh, also known as Rishi (22), Sajan Singh, also known as Honey (28), and Gaganpreet (24) — were allegedly communicating with handlers in Pakistan through social media and foreign phone numbers.Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Praveen Kumar Tripathi said investigators believe the group was being directed by Pakistan-based handler Shahzad Bhatti and his associates.
According to police, the suspects were instructed to use foreign phone numbers to avoid detection by Indian security agencies and were allegedly assigned the task of carrying out a terror attack in the national capital.
Officers recovered two foreign-made pistols, nine live cartridges and five mobile phones during the operation.The investigation began after intelligence inputs prompted the Special Cell to carry out coordinated raids in Delhi and Punjab.The Police said the first arrest was made in Amritsar, where Shubdeep Singh was allegedly found with a semi-automatic pistol, five live cartridges and two mobile phones.
During questioning, investigators claim he admitted to being in contact with Pakistan-based handlers and alleged that he had received consignments of weapons and narcotics delivered across the India-Pakistan border by drones.
His statements led police to arrest Gurjant Singh and Sajan Singh in Punjab. Officers said they recovered another pistol, four live cartridges and two mobile phones from the pair.
The fourth accused, Gaganpreet, was later arrested in Delhi. Police allege that his mobile phone contained material linked to the investigation.
Investigators claim Gaganpreet had been assigned to survey police establishments and religious sites in Delhi before allegedly carrying out a planned shooting.
Police also allege that Shubdeep, who lives in Tarn Taran district near the India-Pakistan border, had previously received weapons and narcotics dropped by drones and remained in contact with Pakistani handlers using foreign phone numbers. They said he had earlier been arrested by Punjab Police in a case under the NDPS Act.
According to investigators, Gurjant Singh and his cousin Sajan Singh were also allegedly involved in receiving drone-dropped consignments of arms and narcotics from Pakistan while maintaining contact with handlers through foreign numbers. Police said Sajan Singh had also previously been arrested in an NDPS case.
Investigators further allege that Gaganpreet was instructed to record videos of police stations and checkpoints in Delhi before carrying out an attack.
Police say investigations are continuing to identify other members of the alleged network and trace its financial and logistical links. The allegations against the accused have not yet been tested in court.
