The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad has arrested one person from Azamgarh allegedly linked to Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti. As per the information ATS has received information that, in order to spread terror and threaten India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity, Pakistan’s ISI and terrorist organisations were collaborating with a Pakistani gangster named Shehzad Bhatti. Through his terrorist network, they were recruiting Indian youth via social media platforms by luring them with money and by inflaming their religious sentiments, radicalising them to act as sleeper cells and carry out terrorist activities. 

 

As part of this conspiracy, the terrorist gang was instigating persons to conduct unlawful acts such as conducting reconnaissance of certain individuals and institutions, murdering them, bombing political party offices, killing personnel of security agencies, and attacking their offices/headquarters.

 

This intelligence was developed through electronic and physical surveillance, reconnaissance, and investigative efforts. During the inquiry, a young man – Mohammad Sheikh, son of Rehan Ahmad, resident of Khudadadpur Post Sanjarpur, Police Station Nizamabad, District Azamgarh – came to light. He had connected with Shehzad Bhatti’s terrorist gang via WhatsApp using Pakistani and Dubai phone numbers and through their social media accounts. He was encouraging his associates and others to join the terrorist gang and commit unlawful acts. Mohammad Sheikh was being handled by Shehzad Bhatti and gang members Ajmal Gurjar and Raza (Pakistani).

 

Handlers of Shehzad Bhatti’s gang had assigned Mohammad Sheikh to threaten and assassinate a female leader of a political party from another state. Mohammad Sheikh had arranged a 9 mm pistol and four cartridges and was preparing to execute the plan to murder the said female leader. Mohammad Sheikh was also motivating local youths to join Shehzad Bhatti’s gang.