Delhi Police bust Pakistan-linked terror-crime syndicate, arrest 7

Officials said the module was linked to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and was involved in terrorist activities, arms and drug smuggling, and reconnaissance of potential targets.

Planned attacks in Delhi-NCR foiled

According to police, the network was preparing to carry out major terrorist strikes in Delhi-NCR while simultaneously supplying illegal weapons and narcotics.

Investigators found that the syndicate smuggled weapons, ammunition and drugs, including heroin, from Pakistan into India through Punjab before distributing them across Delhi-NCR.

The timely operation, police said, prevented several major plots that were in advanced stages of planning.

Religious leaders, public places among targets

Investigations revealed that members of the module had conducted reconnaissance of crowded public places, key installations and locations linked to religious leaders in Delhi-NCR.

The accused allegedly photographed and recorded videos of these sites before sending the material to handlers in Pakistan.

Officials believe the objective was to spread fear, trigger communal tensions and create widespread panic.

Intelligence-led operation

The Special Cell launched the operation after receiving specific intelligence about the Pakistan-backed network.

Using technical surveillance, mobile phone analysis and human intelligence, investigators mapped the syndicate's activities and identified its members before carrying out coordinated arrests.

The breakthrough came in May 2026 when police received information that Shahzad Bhatti and Ajmal Gujjar were planning an attack in the national capital region.

The arrested accused have been identified as:

• Anas alias Anas Tyagi (26), a resident of Loni, Ghaziabad.
• Mohit alias Yogi (26), also from Loni, Ghaziabad.
• Deepak alias Deepak Agrola of Techno City, Ghaziabad.
• Arif alias Pradhan of Loni.
• Karanveer Singh of Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab.
• Jatan of Techno City, Ghaziabad.
• Sabir of Loni, Ghaziabad.

Police said several of the accused had prior criminal records involving offences ranging from illegal arms possession to murder, robbery and narcotics-related crimes.

Weapons, cartridges and digital evidence seized

During the operation, police recovered five sophisticated semi-automatic pistols, 41 live cartridges, seven mobile phones, a Scorpio vehicle and details of multiple bank accounts allegedly used for transferring proceeds from arms and drug sales.

Investigators said the seized phones contained chats and voice messages linked to Shahzad Bhatti and Ajmal Gujjar.

Recruitment through social media

According to investigators, the Pakistan-based handlers used social media platforms and encrypted messaging applications to identify and recruit Indian youths.

The recruits were allegedly lured with promises of quick money and then drawn into criminal activities such as arms trafficking, reconnaissance, narcotics smuggling and terrorist operations.

Drones used to smuggle arms and drugs

Questioning of the accused revealed that consignments of weapons and drugs were delivered from Pakistan into Punjab using drones.

Police said operatives, including Anas and Karanveer Singh, were tasked with receiving the consignments and transporting them to Delhi-NCR.

The investigation also found that reconnaissance material related to public places, religious leaders and sensitive locations was regularly shared with handlers in Pakistan.

Gangster operated network from jail

Investigators further discovered that accused gangster Deepak Agrola allegedly coordinated parts of the operation from inside prison using an illicit mobile phone.

Police said he established contact with Ajmal Gujjar through Anas and helped facilitate arms shipments.

One of the accused, Arif, allegedly purchased a Jigana pistol from Ajmal Gujjar for around ₹1 lakh through multiple UPI transactions.

Probe continues

Officials said the module had evolved from a criminal gang involved in illegal weapons into a Pakistan-backed terror network engaged in arms and narcotics smuggling.

The Delhi Police Special Cell is continuing investigations to identify additional operatives, arms suppliers, drug traffickers and Pakistan-based handlers linked to the syndicate.