Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Security agencies have reportedly foiled a major conspiracy to target the national capital with advanced weapons, uncovering a suspected cross-border syndicate with links to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, sources said.Authorities recovered 18 sophisticated firearms from nine alleged operatives who were allegedly planning to route the weapons through Munger before distributing them across multiple states.ANI Sources said investigators are also probing the role of Shahbaz Ansari, a wanted accused in the NIA’s Sidhu Moosewala arms supply case and a resident of Khurja in Uttar Pradesh.The latest operation comes days after the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen on April 22, 2025.In a related crackdown on April 24, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad arrested two alleged gangsters in Noida who were said to be operating under the direct influence of Pakistan-based handlers and the ISI.The suspects, identified as 20-year-olds Tushar Chauhan, alias Hizbullah Ali Khan, and Samir Khan, were found in possession of a pistol, live ammunition and a knife.According to the ATS, intelligence inputs indicated the duo was attempting to compromise India’s internal security at the direction of the ISI. Investigators said they had been working with terrorist organisations and gangsters to radicalise Indian youth through Instagram and other social media platforms.The ATS further alleged that the two men were working with gangsters Shahzad Bhatti and Abid Jatt and were tasked with building sleeper cells for targeted killings and reconnaissance of sensitive locations.According to UP ATS, Bhatti allegedly offered Tushar Rs 3 lakh, part of which was paid in advance, along with a passport and safe passage to Pakistan via Dubai after the planned attacks were carried out.Investigators said the network was not limited to criminal elements and was linked to ISI operatives identified as Major Hamid, Major Iqbal and Major Anwar, who allegedly facilitated the supply of weapons and funds.(With inputs form ANI)
