Police Claim to have Busted Pakistan-Backed Terror, Narcotics Network, 7 Arrested
NEW DELHI, June 16: The Delhi Police Special Cell Eastern Range team on Tuesday claimed to have busted a major Pakistan-backed terror and criminal network, arresting seven persons thereby preventing planned terrorist attacks along with related activities involving the supply of illegal weapons and narcotics.
According to police, the network was operating under the instructions of Shahzad Bhatti and his associate Ajmal Gujjar, both based in Pakistan. Further investigations revealed that the gang used to procure illegal weapons, ammunition, and narcotics from Pakistan via Punjab and supply them within the Delhi-NCR region.
During the operation, the police recovered five pistols, 41 live cartridges, seven mobile phones, and a Scorpio vehicle from the possession of the accused. According to the Delhi Police Special Cell, the gang used social media to lure youths into their web and were recruited by being tempted with the prospect of quick money and the glamour associated with the world of crime. Subsequently, they were engaged in activities such as the smuggling of weapons and narcotics.
The police received information in May 2026 that Shahzad Bhatti and Ajmal Gujjar were plotting major criminal and terror-related incidents in Delhi-NCR. Acting on this information, the police arrested Mohit, alias Yogi. Illegal weapons were recovered from him, along with evidence of his contact with the handlers based in Pakistan.
More interrogation revealed that gang members were conducting reconnaissance of several sensitive and vital locations in Delhi, Ghaziabad, and surrounding areas. Photographs and videos of these locations were being sent to their handlers in Pakistan. Police stated that several religious leaders in the region were also targeted as part of the plan. The apparent aim was to create an atmosphere of fear, incite communal tension and generate widespread panic. The police stated that timely action thwarted several potential terror plots.
The investigation also disclosed that the accused were responsible for collecting consignments of weapons and narcotics—sent from Pakistan via drones—from Punjab and transporting them to Delhi-NCR. According to the police, several of the accused linked to this network already have criminal cases registered against them for offenses including murder, attempted murder, robbery, and violations of the Arms Act and the NDPS Act.
The Delhi Police is now actively searching for absconding accused individuals, arms suppliers, and financiers linked to this network. Officials stated that the investigation was ongoing and that further significant revelations regarding the network could emerge in the coming days.
Investigators claimed that the accused were recruited and radicalised through social media and encrypted communication platforms. They were allegedly assigned tasks ranging from the smuggling of narcotics and weapons to reconnaissance of public places and other potential targets in Delhi-NCR.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed that photographs and videos of identified locations were shared with handlers based in Pakistan for further operational planning. Police said the timely action of the Special Cell helped thwart several planned terror incidents and disrupted an organised terror-crime network.
The investigation further revealed that some members of the module were allegedly involved in illegal money-lending activities and used social media platforms to establish contact with Pakistan-based arms suppliers. The accused were also allegedly engaged in procuring and distributing illegal firearms and narcotic substances through a dead-drop delivery system to avoid detection.
Acting on specific intelligence about the Pakistan-backed network, the team used technical surveillance, analysis of mobile phone data and ground-level information to map the syndicate before carrying out the arrests.
The police said among those arrested were Anas alias Anas Tyagi, 26, resident of Loni, Ghaziabad. He faces three previous criminal cases and had been in regular contact with Ajmal Gujjar and Shahzad Bhatti in Pakistan since November 2025. Mohit alias Yogi, 26, also from Loni, Ghaziabad. He was in direct contact with Ajmal Gujjar.
Deepak alias Deepak Agrola, resident of Techno City, Ghaziabad. He has 23 previous cases, including charges of murder, robbery, attempt to murder and provisions under the Gangsters Act. Arif alias Pradhan, resident of Loni. He faces cases under the Arms Act and the NDPS Act.
Karanveer Singh, resident of Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. He has a case registered under the NDPS Act. Jatan, resident of Techno City. He faces cases related to attempt to murder. Sabir, resident of Loni, Ghaziabad.
Mohit was arrested near the Bhagirath Water Treatment Plant in Yamuna Vihar. From him, officers recovered an illegal pistol, four live cartridges and a mobile phone. Examination of the device revealed communications with Ajmal Gujjar. During questioning, Mohit disclosed that he and his associates had been tasked with smuggling weapons and drugs.
Further probes revealed that weapons and drug consignments were delivered from Pakistan into Punjab using drones. Gang members, including Anas and Karanveer Singh, were sent to Punjab to receive and transport the material onward to Delhi-NCR. Officials believe that without the intervention, the group could have executed a significant crime. Some of the accused had previously been involved in ordinary criminal activities involving illegal weapons used for intimidation.
They established contact with Ajmal Gujjar through social media, after which the group evolved into a terrorist network engaged in arms and drug smuggling. Arif, for example, purchased a Jigana pistol from Ajmal Gujjar for approximately ₹1 lakh through multiple UPI accounts. The network later expanded into smuggling heroin and chitta.
Investigations further showed that gangster Deepak Agrola continued to coordinate from inside prison using a mobile phone. He contacted Ajmal Gujjar through Anas and assisted in arranging arms shipments.
(Manas Dasgupta)
