In another major crackdown on terrorism-related activities, the Delhi Police’s Special Cell on Thursday swooped down on four members, allegedly part of a terror module accused of plotting an attack in the national capital following directives from their Pakistan-based handler, officials said. The officials added that the suspects had allegedly been acting on the instructions of Shahzad Bhatti, an alleged operative associated with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and had been tasked with executing terror-related activities in Delhi.

The arrested accused have been identified as Shubhdeep Singh (23), Gurjant Singh (22), Sajan Singh (28) and Gaganpreet (24). Three of the suspects hail from Punjab, while the fourth one was arrested from Delhi. During the operation, the Special Cell sleuths seized two foreign-made pistols, nine live cartridges and five cell phones from the possession of the accused. The police believe the seized booty could provide crucial leads as the probe deepens.

Intelligence inputs prompt arrests

Officials in the know of the development said the arrests were made after receiving intelligence inputs about the group’s alleged activities. Acting on the tip-off, the Special Cell, led by Inspectors Satish Rana and Ashok, under the supervision of ACP Vivek Kumar Tyagi, conducted coordinated raids across Delhi and Punjab.

The officers were first led to Amritsar, where Shubhdeep was arrested. Police said they seized a foreign-made pistol, live ammunition and several cell phones from him. Upon his disclosure, the investigators reached Gurjant Singh and Sajan Singh, who were arrested from separate locations in Punjab.

The fourth accused, Gaganpreet, was later apprehended in Delhi on April 24.

Cross-border links under Special Cell’s scanner

During sustained interrogation, the accused told the cops that they had maintained regular contact with Pakistani handlers through foreign phone numbers to avoid detection by Indian security agencies.

The Special Cell sleuths also revealed that the group allegedly received consignments of arms and narcotics dropped by drones from across the India-Pakistan international border. They added that Gaganpreet had conducted recce of police stations and religious places of worship in Delhi and had allegedly been assigned to carry out a firing incident in the capital as part of the purported conspiracy.

The investigators went on to say that Shubhdeep Singh alias Vishal, hails from Punjab’s Tarn Taran district near the international border. Police said he had earlier been arrested in a narcotics-related case and was allegedly involved in receiving drone consignments ferrying weapons and narcotic substances.

Officials also alleged that Gurjant alias Rishi, and his cousin Sajan Singh alias Honey, were also involved in receiving arms consignments delivered via drones. Both have earlier been booked under the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

According to cops, Gaganpreet, a resident of Fatehgarh Sahib, was in touch with Pakistani handlers through social media and had allegedly been directed to record videos of police establishments, as well as other sensitive locations across the city for operational planning.

All the accused have been booked under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act. A probe is underway, and officials said more details are likely to emerge as the investigation widens.