Delhi Police Bust Alleged Pakistan-Linked Terror Syndicate, Seven Operatives Arrested and Major Attacks Foiled

In a major counter-terrorism breakthrough, the Special Cell of Delhi Police has dismantled an alleged Pakistan-backed transnational crime-terror network reportedly operated by gangster-turned-terrorist Shahzad Bhatti and his close associate, Ajmal Gujjar.

The operation led to the arrest of seven key operatives and the seizure of sophisticated firearms, ammunition, digital evidence and a vehicle allegedly used by the syndicate.

According to Delhi Police, the swift and coordinated action by the Special Cell thwarted multiple planned terror strikes in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), dealing a significant blow to what investigators describe as Pakistan’s proxy warfare strategy carried out through criminal and terror modules.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the accused had allegedly been assigned the task of targeting certain religious leaders and strategically important locations in the national capital.

Investigators said the syndicate was allegedly involved in the cross-border smuggling of illegal arms, ammunition and narcotic substances from Pakistan.

The contraband was reportedly routed through Punjab before being distributed across Delhi and the wider NCR through a well-organised underground network.

The seven arrested individuals have been identified as Anas alias Anas Tyagi (26), Mohit alias Yogi (26), Deepak Agrola (38), Arif alias Pradhan (30), Jatan (29), Sabir (30), all residents of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, and Karanveer Singh (26) from Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab.

Police said that Deepak Agrola is a habitual offender and faces 23 criminal cases in Uttar Pradesh, including charges of murder, dacoity and attempted murder.

Investigators claim that several members of the module were allegedly in direct contact with handlers Shahzad Bhatti and Ajmal Gujjar through social media platforms and encrypted communication channels.

The use of secure digital platforms, police said, was aimed at maintaining secrecy and avoiding surveillance.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Narra Chaitanya said the operation was initiated after the Special Cell received specific intelligence inputs last month.

The intelligence reportedly indicated that Bhatti, allegedly functioning under the patronage of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), was conspiring with Gujjar to execute attacks in Delhi-NCR by recruiting local youths and deploying them for terror-related activities.

Acting on the intelligence, police apprehended Mohit near the Bhagirath Water Treatment Plant in Delhi’s Yamuna Vihar area last week.

During the operation, officers recovered an illegal pistol, four live cartridges and a mobile phone allegedly containing incriminating conversations with Ajmal Gujjar.

Subsequent interrogation of the accused reportedly exposed a much wider network allegedly engaged in trafficking weapons and narcotics into India through drone deliveries across the Punjab border.

The smuggled consignments were then allegedly distributed in Delhi and neighbouring regions through an organised supply chain.

Investigators further alleged that Bhatti and Gujjar had directed certain operatives to carry out reconnaissance missions at potential targets, including crowded public places and sensitive establishments.

Photographs and video footage of these locations were allegedly sent to handlers based in Pakistan for further planning and operational assessment.

“The objective was to create fear, disturb communal harmony and facilitate future terrorist activities. The arrests and seizures prevented several planned attacks from being carried out,” DCP Chaitanya said.

The operation was executed by a dedicated team from the Eastern Range of the Special Cell under the leadership of Inspectors Rahul Kumar, Vineet Kumar Tewatia and Ajit Kumar, with overall supervision provided by Assistant Commissioner of Police Kailash Singh Bisht.

According to investigators, the syndicate relied on a sophisticated operational model designed to evade law enforcement scrutiny.

The network allegedly used anonymous social media profiles, disposable mobile numbers, hawala channels, scanner-based financial transactions and dead-drop delivery mechanisms to conduct its activities while maintaining operational secrecy.

Police further alleged that the module actively exploited social media and encrypted communication applications to identify and recruit vulnerable young men.

Recruits were allegedly enticed with promises of quick money, financial rewards and the glorification of criminal lifestyles, gradually drawing them into organised crime and terror-related activities.

The investigation also revealed that some of the accused initially operated illegal money-lending businesses and possessed firearms to intimidate borrowers and recover dues.

Through their social media interactions, they allegedly established contact with Ajmal Gujjar and subsequently began procuring sophisticated weapons through his network.

Investigators claim that several members of the group later became involved in trafficking heroin and other narcotic substances from Punjab into Delhi-NCR.

The proceeds generated from these illicit activities were allegedly intended to finance terror operations and facilitate further recruitment into the network.

Police also uncovered the alleged role of gangster Deepak Agrola, who is currently lodged in Mandoli Jail.

According to investigators, Agrola was introduced to Gujjar through co-accused Anas and subsequently coordinated the procurement of illegal weapons through associates, including Jatan.

During the extensive operation, Delhi Police recovered five sophisticated semi-automatic pistols, 41 live cartridges, seven mobile phones containing incriminating chats and voice recordings allegedly linked to Bhatti and Gujjar, an SUV reportedly used by the syndicate and details of multiple bank accounts suspected to have been used for transferring proceeds generated through narcotics trafficking and illegal arms sales.

Police said legal proceedings have been initiated against all seven arrested individuals. Investigative agencies are continuing efforts to track down absconding suspects and identify the larger network of suppliers, financiers and recipients allegedly involved in cross-border smuggling and terror-related activities.

Officials added that the investigation remains ongoing and is focused on uncovering the full extent of the conspiracy, identifying additional collaborators and completely dismantling every remaining component of the alleged crime-terror syndicate.