New Delhi: The Delhi Police Special Cell has busted an interstate terrorist and arms smuggling network linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, and arrested four suspects. Three of the arrested suspects were from Punjab and one from Delhi.
How many are arrested?
The arrested accused have been identified as Shubdeep Singh alias Vishal (23), Gurjant Singh alias Rishi (22), all residents of Tarn Taran, Punjab, Sajan Singh alias Honey (28), a resident of Amritsar, and Gaganpreet (24), a resident of Fatehgarh Sahib.
During the operation, the Special Cell team recovered two foreign-made weapons (a Zigana pistol and a 0.30-bore pistol), nine live cartridges, and five mobile phones.
What did the police say?
According to police, these suspects were preparing to carry out a terrorist attack in Delhi-NCR on the instructions of ISI handler Shahzad Bhatti.
Investigations revealed that Shubdeep Singh received weapons and narcotics shipments from Pakistan via drones. He was in contact with Pakistani handlers and drone operators through foreign numbers. Shubdeep and Sajan have previously been arrested in NDPS Act cases. Based on Shubdeep’s information, police arrested two of his associates, Gurjant Singh and Sajan Singh, from Punjab. Both are accused of receiving weapons and narcotics shipments from Pakistan via drones.
Numerous incriminating and crucial digital evidence was recovered from his mobile phone. Investigation revealed that he was tasked with conducting reconnaissance of religious sites, police stations, and police pickets in Delhi. He was also instructed to carry out a shooting incident in Delhi.
Delhi Police have registered a case against the accused under relevant sections of the BNS and the Arms Act and have initiated further investigation. Police are now investigating the role of other members of this network and their handlers based in Pakistan.
What about Pakistan link?
The Special Cell (NDR) received specific information that Pakistan-based ISI handler Shahzad Bhatti, along with other Pak-based associates, was planning a terrorist attack in Delhi-NCR. The information also revealed that they had recruited youth from Punjab for this operation.
Based on source information and technical analysis, several suspects were identified and interrogated after conducting multiple raids in Delhi and Punjab. The first arrest was made on Majitha Road, Amritsar, Punjab, and a semi-automatic pistol, five live cartridges, and two mobile phones were recovered from the accused, Shubdeep Singh.
During interrogation, he revealed that he was in contact with Pakistan-based handlers of the Shahzad Bhatti network and was transporting weapons and narcotics via drones. During the investigation, two of his associates, Gurjant Singh alias Rishi and Sajan Singh alias Honey, were arrested in Punjab. A Zigana pistol, four live cartridges, and two mobile phones were recovered from them.
