The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested Mohammad Shaikh from Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh district for his connection with a Pakistan-backed terror network that was recruiting Indian youths through social media and assigning them dangerous missions, including the planned killing of BJP leaders.
The 22-year-old Shaikh, a resident of Khudadadpur village under Nizamabad police station limits, was taken into custody after an ATS operation based on intelligence inputs. During the arrest, officials recovered a 9 mm pistol, four live cartridges and a mobile phone from him.
Mission to target BJP leaders
According to investigators, Shaikh had been given a “trial mission” by his handlers. He was asked to collect information about BJP leaders from another state, monitor their movements and later carry out an attack on them. Officials said completing the task was meant to prove his loyalty and help him become part of a larger terror module.
The ATS believes he had already arranged a firearm and ammunition and was preparing to move ahead with the assignment. Investigators are now checking whether he had already conducted any reconnaissance and whether other people helped him in the process.
Social media used for recruitment
The investigation revealed that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), along with terror groups and the network of Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti, was using social media to identify and recruit Indian youths. Recruits were reportedly offered money and were gradually influenced through extremist content.
Officials said the network aimed to build sleeper cells inside India and use local recruits for activities such as surveillance, attacks on security personnel, targeted killings and strikes on politically sensitive locations.
Links to Pakistan-based handlers
ATS officials found that Shaikh was in contact with foreign-based handlers through WhatsApp and social media accounts linked to Pakistani and Dubai-based mobile numbers. Digital evidence suggested that he was regularly communicating with members of the network.
Investigators identified Shahzad Bhatti, Ajmal Gurjar and Raza Pakistani as the key handlers who were guiding recruits, assigning tasks and maintaining contact with operatives in India.
Wider network under scanner
Officials suspect that Shaikh was also trying to bring more youths from his area into the network. His phone and other digital records are being examined for contacts, financial transactions and links to additional operatives.
A case has been registered under Sections 148, 152 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 3/25 of the Arms Act and Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The ATS will seek police custody to question him further.
The arrest comes about a month after the ATS detained two other suspected members of the same network, 23-year-old Daniyal Ashraf from Barabanki and 20-year-old Krishna Mishra from Kushinagar. Both were recruited through Instagram and other social media platforms. Investigators said they had conducted surveillance of potential targets in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Maharashtra and received funds through multiple bank accounts.
ATS officials believe the latest arrest points to an ongoing effort by Pakistan-based handlers to recruit vulnerable Indian youths online and use them for terror-related activities within the country. Further investigation is underway, and officials say more arrests are possible.
