LUCKNOW: In an anti-terror operation, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Special Task Force (STF) claimed to have busted a suspected sleeper cell allegedly operating at the behest of Pakistan’s intelligence agency and linked to Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti. Four suspects were arrested during a joint operation in Saharanpur, police said on Wednesday.The accused have been identified as Mehkar, a resident of Saharanpur; Gagandeep and Buri Singh, residents of Muzaffarnagar; Shahrukh, a resident of Saharanpur; and Musharraf, a resident of Haridwar. Officials said the accused were allegedly part of a network attempting to recruit and radicalise Indian youth through social media platforms and online communication channels.According to investigators, Pakistani handlers Shahzad Bhatti and an associate identified as Abid Jat were allegedly operating under directions from Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and were using social media platforms to lure Indian youths with promises of financial gains. Authorities alleged that the network was systematically attempting to create sleeper cells and motivate recruits to participate in terror-linked and destructive activities inside the country.The ATS and STF launched a coordinated operation across the state after identifying suspicious individuals and monitoring their activities. During the course of the investigation, ATS teams gathered intelligence inputs and initiated legal action based on the findings.Preliminary interrogation revealed that the accused were allegedly in regular contact with Pakistani handlers through social media applications and video-calling platforms. Investigators said the suspects were being instructed to gather information related to sensitive installations, hospitals and other potential targets. They were also allegedly tasked with expanding the network by recruiting additional youths and encouraging them to participate in anti-national activities.Police further claimed that in March 2026, Mehkar and Gagandeep had held a meeting in Noida allegedly to discuss plans related to carrying out a major incident. During the meeting, discussions reportedly took place regarding financial arrangements and procurement of weapons.Uttar Pradesh Additional Director General (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash said the operation reflected the state’s proactive strategy against terror-linked networks and anti-national elements.“The Uttar Pradesh ATS and STF have jointly taken action against a network attempting to mislead and recruit youths through digital platforms. Initial investigations indicate attempts to build sleeper cells and establish contacts with foreign handlers. Further legal action is being undertaken and all links associated with the network are being thoroughly investigated,” Yash said.The latest arrests come barely a month after the ATS had busted another alleged Pakistan-linked network in which investigators claimed direct operational inputs from Shahzad Bhatti and his associate Abid Jat had surfaced during the probe.In that case, ATS had arrested Tushar Chauhan alias Hizbullah Ali Khan (20), who allegedly issued death threats through WhatsApp calls while keeping Pakistan-based handlers connected on conference calls. Investigators had then claimed that the handlers directly monitored conversations and reinforced threats issued to targets, particularly individuals who had embraced Hinduism.The ATS had traced more than 20 such threat calls and claimed the Pakistan-based number involved had links with ISI-supported gangster Shahzad Bhatti and Abid Jat. Officials had further alleged that Tushar had been radicalised online and, along with co-accused Sameer Khan, was preparing reconnaissance and planning attacks at selected targets in Delhi-NCR under instructions from foreign handlers.Investigators had also alleged that Tushar was promised ₹50,000 in advance and ₹2.5 lakh after completion of assigned tasks, while being assured assistance in fleeing to Pakistan via Dubai after carrying out the operation.Officials believe the recurrence of Bhatti’s name in successive investigations suggests attempts by handlers based across the border to exploit social media and encrypted platforms for recruitment, radicalisation and creating local modules inside the country.Police said a case has been registered at ATS police station in Lucknow under relevant sections of law, and further investigation is underway. Officials added that police would seek custodial remand of the accused from the court to obtain detailed information regarding other associates and individuals connected with the network. Authorities are also examining the broader network and possible inter-state linkages to determine the extent of the alleged operation.
