In a significant counter-terrorism breakthrough, the Delhi Police Special Cell has dismantled an alleged Pakistan-backed terror-crime network that was preparing to carry out attacks in the Delhi-NCR region. Seven terrorists linked to Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terrorist Shahzad Bhatti and his close associate Ajmal Gujjar have been arrested, officials said.
According to investigators, the module operated under the direction of handlers based in Pakistan and maintained links with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The network was involved in plotting terrorist strikes, smuggling weapons and narcotics into India, and conducting reconnaissance of potential targets across the national capital region.
The Special Cell’s Eastern Range team uncovered a sophisticated operation that smuggled weapons, ammunition and narcotics, including heroin, from Pakistan into India through Punjab. The consignments were then transported and distributed across Delhi-NCR. Officials believe the timely operation prevented several major incidents, including a large-scale attack that was reportedly in the planning stage.
Investigators revealed that members of the syndicate had surveyed crowded public locations, key establishments and sites associated with prominent religious leaders. Photographs and videos of these locations were sent to handlers in Pakistan for further planning. Police said the objective appeared to be spreading fear, triggering communal unrest and creating widespread panic among the public.
The arrests followed a detailed intelligence operation involving technical surveillance, mobile data analysis and extensive fieldwork. Authorities tracked the group’s activities for months before moving in to dismantle the network.
Those arrested have been identified as Anas alias Anas Tyagi (26) of Loni, Ghaziabad; Mohit alias Yogi (26), also from Loni; Deepak alias Deepak Agrola of Techno City, Ghaziabad; Arif alias Pradhan of Loni; Karanveer Singh of Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab; Jatan of Techno City; and Sabir of Loni, Ghaziabad. Several of the accused have previous criminal records, including cases related to murder, robbery, attempted murder, illegal arms possession and narcotics offences.
During the crackdown, police recovered five sophisticated semi-automatic pistols, 41 live cartridges, seven mobile phones, a Scorpio SUV and details of multiple bank accounts allegedly used for illegal transactions. Officials said the seized phones contained chats, voice notes and other digital evidence linking the suspects to Shahzad Bhatti and Ajmal Gujjar.
The investigation found that the Pakistan-based handlers used social media platforms and encrypted messaging applications to identify and recruit Indian youth. Prospective recruits were lured with promises of quick money and drawn into criminal activities such as arms trafficking, drug smuggling, reconnaissance missions and eventually terror operations. The breakthrough came in May 2026 when intelligence inputs suggested that Bhatti and Gujjar were actively planning an attack in Delhi-NCR.
The probe further revealed that weapons and narcotics were being delivered across the border using drones. Operatives stationed in Punjab allegedly collected the consignments before transporting them to Delhi-NCR. Police said the network had already carried out surveillance of religious leaders, public gathering spots and other sensitive locations, with the information gathered reportedly transmitted back to Pakistan.
One of the accused, Arif, is alleged to have purchased a Jigana pistol from Ajmal Gujjar for around ₹1 lakh through multiple UPI transactions. Investigators say the group’s activities later expanded from illegal arms dealing to heroin and “chitta” smuggling.
Investigators also uncovered evidence suggesting that gangster Deepak Agrola continued coordinating criminal activities from inside prison using a mobile phone. Police allege he maintained contact with Ajmal Gujjar through co-accused Anas and helped facilitate arms deliveries. Authorities believe the network had evolved from a group involved in conventional criminal activity into a structured terror-linked syndicate with cross-border support.
The Delhi Police Special Cell is continuing its search for additional suspects, arms suppliers, drug traffickers and Pakistan-based handlers believed to be connected to the network. Officials said the operation dealt a major blow to a dangerous cross-border syndicate and may have prevented a serious security threat from materialising in the capital region.
