The Special Cell of Delhi Police has dismantled a Pakistan-backed terror module allegedly controlled by gangster-turned-terrorist Shahzad Bhatti, who is currently believed to be operating from Pakistan, officers said Sunday.The group was allegedly involved in the November 25 grenade attack outside the City Police Station in Punjab’s Gurdaspur.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Singh Kushwah said three operatives associated with the module have been arrested from Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Those arrested have been identified as Vikas Prajapati alias Betu (19), a resident of Datia in Madhya Pradesh; Hargunpreet Singh alias Gurkaranpreet Singh (19) from Firozpur in Punjab; and Asif alias Arish (22) from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh.
Police have recovered a semi-automatic pistol, 10 live cartridges and mobile phones containing incriminating chats, as well as reconnaissance videos.
The Gurdaspur attack was allegedly executed on Bhatti’s directions, who has been coordinating terror operations using encrypted communication platforms and social media channels.
The breakthrough came after investigators began monitoring Bhatti’s digital footprints and communication networks. Police found that Prajapati, already wanted in an arms-smuggling case, was in frequent contact with Bhatti. His movement between Delhi and Gurdaspur and Bhatti’s repeated instructions to switch off his phone triggered deeper surveillance. Prajapati was arrested after a two-day chase in Madhya Pradesh.
During questioning, Prajapati gave details of the module’s operations to police, said officers.
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Police said Bhatti and his handlers in Pakistan scanned social media profiles to target vulnerable and impressionable youth, luring them with promises of quick money and cult-like gangster glamour.
The recruits were trained remotely, used for reconnaissance missions and deployed as disposable assets for terror strikes. Payments were made digitally to avoid detection.
Investigators said Prajapati admitted he first contacted Bhatti after being influenced by his online persona. Bhatti later tasked him with receiving a weapons parcel in Gurdaspur that contained a grenade.
After conducting reconnaissance of two police installations—City Police Station in Gurdaspur and Town Hall Police Station in Amritsar—Prajapati handed over the explosive to Hargunpreet Singh.
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Hargunpreet, who has studied up to Class 12, told police that he carried out the grenade attack while riding pillion on a motorcycle driven by an associate.
Meanwhile, Asif was preparing for a similar strike, with Bhatti reportedly sharing photographs and location maps with him.
Police said search operations are ongoing to identify and trace additional members of the module.
