2 arrested in Noida in connection with terror plot backed by Pak spy agency
The duo allegedly hatched a plan to conduct targeted killings of several high-profile individuals in the state on the behest of Pak gangsters.
In a major operation against terrorist activities in the state, the anti-terrorism squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested two people, identified as Tushar Chauhan, alias Hizbullah Khan and Sameer Khan from Noida on Thursday. The two suspects allegedly held ties with the Pakistani spy agency ISI and were in close contact with Pakistani gangsters, Shahzad Bhatti and Abid Jat.
As the primary investigation has revealed, the duo allegedly hatched a plan of targeted killings of several high-profile individuals in the state by establishing a sleeper cell by radicalising Indian youths.
More details suggest that Chauhan connected with Bhatti through Instagram and was offered Rs 3 lakh to carry out the killings, using hand grenades and pistols. Khan, meanwhile, was tasked with promoting the ideology of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Hindustan (TTH), a banned terrorist group, by scrawling its name on walls.
The accused allegedly had issued death threats to several people over the past few months. During these telephonic threats, they also added Pakistani handlers to the conference calls.
Following the arrests, the investigators have found that Chauhan is a resident of Baghpat, and Sameer Khan resides in Seemapuri, Old Delhi.
During the operation, the ATS recovered a pistol, five live cartridges, and a knife and registered a case in the ATS police station in Lucknow under the relevant provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Authorities have sought police custody remand to further investigate the network and identify other associates involved in the plot. A further probe into the case is underway.