22 year old Muhammad Shaikh, associated with Pakistani terrorist network, arrested, was given the responsibility of recce of BJP leaders.

The Uttar Pradesh Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested 22-year-old Mohammad Sheikh, associated with an alleged Pakistan-backed terrorist network, from Azamgarh district. According to the investigating agencies, the accused was in touch with a network operated through social media, which was preparing Indian youth for terrorist activities by radicalizing them through money and religious incitement.

The arrested accused has been identified as Mohammad Shaikh son of Rehan Ahmed, resident of Khudadadpur, Post Sanjarpur, Police Station Nizamabad, District Azamgarh. ATS has recovered a 9 mm pistol, four live cartridges and a mobile phone from his possession.

According to ATS, preliminary investigation has revealed that there was alleged coordination between Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI, terrorist organizations and the network of Pakistan-based gangster Shehzad Bhatti. The objective of this network was to recruit youth and prepare them as sleeper cells to harm the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.

Investigative agencies claim that Shehzad Bhatti’s network used to contact Indian youth through social media platforms. They were lured with money and influenced through radical material to engage in illegal activities.

According to ATS, Mohammad Shaikh was assigned a trial mission by his handlers. He was given the responsibility of gathering information about some BJP leaders from another state, keeping an eye on their activities and later attacking them. Investigators believe that after completing this mission, he was to be given bigger responsibilities in the network.

The agency claims that the accused had arranged for 9 mm pistol and cartridges to execute this plan and was preparing for further action. The investigation is now also being conducted in the direction of whether he had already done recce of the possible targets and whether other people were also involved in this conspiracy.

ATS investigation has revealed that Mohammad Sheikh was in contact with people linked to mobile numbers of Pakistan and Dubai through WhatsApp and social media platforms. Digital evidence indicated that he was regularly interacting with foreign handlers.

Apart from Shehzad Bhatti, the investigating agencies have also identified Ajmal Gurjar and a Pakistani national named Raza as the key operators of this network. It is alleged that these people used to give instructions to the youth present in India and assign them different missions.

ATS suspects that Mohammad Sheikh was also trying to connect other youth of his area to this network. His mobile phone, digital records and possible financial transactions are being examined to trace other members and contacts of the network.

Let us tell you that a month ago, ATS had also detained two other youths on suspicion of being associated with the same network. These included 23-year-old Daniyal Ashraf, resident of Barabanki and 20-year-old Krishna Mishra, resident of Kushinagar. Investigation revealed that both were recruited through Instagram and other social media platforms.

According to the ATS, both the suspects had conducted reconnaissance of potential targets in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Maharashtra and also received funds through various bank accounts.

A case has been registered against Mohammad Sheikh under sections 148, 152 and 61(2) of the Indian Code of Justice (BNS), section 3/25 of the Arms Act and section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). ATS is preparing to interrogate the accused by taking him on police remand.

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