New Delhi: Delhi Police’s Special Cell has arrested two men accused of being part of a Pakistan-based intelligence-linked network that allegedly planned shootings and grenade attacks in the Delhi NCR region. Police said the arrests helped foil a major conspiracy aimed at crowded public locations.
Investigators said the plot was directed by Shahzad Bhatti, described as an agent of Pakistan’s ISI, who allegedly sought to recruit Indian youth through online channels, radicalise them and provide training for attacks. The targets were said to include areas across Delhi NCR as well as parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.
Acting on specific inputs, Special Cell teams carried out searches at multiple locations and intensified monitoring of social media. Vivek Banjara (19) from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, was arrested on April 16, and based on his information, Rajveer (21), also from the same region, was arrested in Delhi on April 18.
Police said Rajveer was held while allegedly preparing to attack a well-known hotel in the NCR. A country-made pistol, six cartridges and two mobile phones containing videos and audio recordings linked to the alleged plan were seized.
During questioning, police said the duo acted on instructions from Rana Bhai, described as a close associate of Bhatti, and were lured by promises of easy money. The group allegedly travelled to cities including Ahmedabad and Amritsar to procure illegal weapons, and police said more suspects have been identified and efforts are under way to arrest them.
