Four suspected terrorists linked to a Pakistan-backed terror module have been arrested for allegedly plotting a major attack in the national capital, and police later posed with them in a photo that resembles a Sunday league football team lineup.
Arrests and Identities
The Delhi Police Special Cell apprehended the four men, all originally from Punjab, after intelligence inputs revealed they were acting on the instructions of Pakistan-based Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) handler Shahzad Bhatti. The suspects have been identified as Shubdeep Singh, 23, and Gurjant Singh, 22, both from Tarn Taran; Sajan Singh, 28, from Amritsar; and Gaganpreet, 24, from Fatehgarh Sahib. Three of the men were apprehended during raids in Punjab, while Gaganpreet was arrested in Delhi.
Unusual Arrest Photo
In the widely publicised arrest photo, the four suspects are seen kneeling in front of a line of police officers, not handcuffed and wearing face masks, looking comfortable and pleased with the situation. Indian media has shown no issue with the photo, despite its odd nature.
Intelligence and Conspiracy
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Praveen Kumar Tripathi, the operation was launched after intelligence suggested that Bhatti and his network were orchestrating a conspiracy in the Delhi-NCR region and had recruited young men from Punjab to carry it out. The suspects were reportedly using foreign mobile numbers provided by their handlers to evade detection.
Reconnaissance and Evidence
Investigators revealed that Gaganpreet had already conducted reconnaissance of religious sites and police establishments in Delhi and was tasked with executing a firing attack. The first breakthrough came with the arrest of Shubdeep Singh on Majitha Road in Amritsar. During questioning, he reportedly confessed to being in contact with operatives from the Shahzad Bhatti network and admitted to receiving weapons and narcotics deliveries via drones. His interrogation subsequently led to the capture of Gurjant Singh and Sajan Singh.
Recovered Weapons and Legal Action
During the coordinated raids, police recovered significant evidence, including two foreign-made firearms – a semi-automatic Zigana pistol and a .30-bore pistol – along with nine live cartridges and five mobile phones. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act as authorities continue their investigation into the cross-border terror and arms network.
