ISI operatives held: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Friday achieved a significant breakthrough by arresting two operatives from Noida, who were allegedly linked to Pakistani gangsters and the Pakistan-led Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Both the accused, aged 20, have been identified as Hizbullah Ali Khan, a native of Baghpat, and Sameer Khan, hailing from Delhi’s Seemapuri.
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Officials said that the duo was allegedly in direct contact with Pakistani gangsters such as Shahzad Bhatti and Aabid Jatt, who are believed to be acting under the direction of ISI. The accused were engaged to the gangsters through social media applications and were planning a major disruptive act in India, but the security agency foiled their plan.
ISI operatives held: ADGP sheds light on arrest
Additional Director General of UP Police, Amitabh Yash said that the probe into the case began after intelligence inputs were received regarding cultivation of sleeper cells via Instagram and other online channels. The authorities also flagged the involvement of several ‘radical YouTubers’ in influencing and recruiting vulnerable youth.
The investigators revealed that the accused were continuously in touch with handlers based in Pakistan, raising concerns over the scale and sophistication of such networks.
Parallel conspiracy unearthed in Gujarat
In a related development, the Gujarat ATS arrested one Irfan Kalekhan Pathan (22) from Siddhpur in Patan district for his alleged involvement in an anti-national conspiracy. Officials revealed Pathan was influenced by extremist ideology and was allegedly plotting to establish “Ghazwa-e-Hind” by means of armed rebellion. Moreover, he was also collecting weapons, attempting to manufacture explosives, and recruiting people for committing ‘Jihad’ both within India and overseas.
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Pathan attempted to target RSS, political figures
The Gujarat ATS sleuths recovered digital evidence from his cell phone, and found links with suspected ISIS affiliates via messaging platforms such as Instagram and WhatsApp. The sleuths further alleged he had been hatching plans to target political figures and people associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
In the case, the authorities have also identified another suspect, named Murshid Zahid Akhtar Sheikh, belonging to Mumbai’s Sakinaka. He has been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and efforts are on to nab him.
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