Two terrorists arrested in Uttar Pradesh

They were in contact with Pakistani gangsters
Planning sabotage attacks at sensitive locations

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) – The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested two terrorists, Daniyan Ashraf and Krishna Mishra. One country-made pistol, one country-made firearm, six live cartridges, and two mobile phones were seized from them. The terrorists were plotting serial bomb blasts at sensitive locations in the country and attacks on police squads. Both were in contact with Pakistani gangsters Shehzad Bhatti, Abid Jatt, and Hammad. During interrogation, these terrorists stated that Shehzad Bhatti had told them, “If you work according to my instructions, I will make you heroes in India.”

These youths were being radicalised under the directions of gangsters Shehzad Bhatti, Abid Jatt, and Hammad by luring them with promises of becoming wealthy. Their objective was to endanger the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of the nation by attacking sensitive institutions, police stations, police outposts, and police personnel.

Conspiracy to create terrorists through social media

A spokesperson for the Anti-Terrorism Squad stated that Pakistani terrorist organisations were recruiting Indian youths as ‘foot soldiers’ (individuals who directly execute operations or plans on the ground and work at the lowest active level of an organisation or campaign) and ‘sleeper cells’ (covert local groups of religious fanatics secretly assisting terrorists) through social media, especially Instagram.

During the investigation, it emerged that accused Daniyan and Krishna were in contact with Pakistani handlers (individuals who control and direct terrorist activities in India). Their mobile phones contained the contact numbers of Shehzad Bhatti, Abid Jatt, and Hammad. Evidence of video calls, voice notes, WhatsApp chats, and anti-national conversations was also recovered from them.

Daniyan demanded a gun; Krishna was assigned a murder mission

Daniyan Ashraf had made a video of a police station in one State and sent it to the handlers. He had also demanded money and weapons (guns) for carrying out attacks. Hammad had sent him a photograph of Abid Jatt labelled ‘Pakistani Don’ (major gangster) and instructed him to print 50 copies and paste them at important locations.

Videos recovered from Krishna Mishra’s mobile phone showed Shehzad Bhatti and Abid Jatt instructing him to shoot a uniformed person and send them the video.

12 terrorists arrested in 2 months

In the past 2 months, 12 terrorists have been arrested in Uttar Pradesh. On 4 April, 4 persons were arrested in Lucknow. They had been instructed from Pakistan to spread terror and were told that the more fear they spread, the more money they would receive. While preparing for a major blast, the four terrorists practised by setting fire to a pickup vehicle and a motorcycle. Videos of these acts were sent to Pakistani handler Abu Bakr. In return, they were being paid ₹12,000 for each act of arson.