Pak-Linked Plot to Target Police, Army Personnel Busted in Lucknow, 4 Held

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested three men and taken a juvenile into its supervision for allegedly plotting to kill a police or Army personnel in Lucknow at the direction of a Pakistan-based handler linked to the banned Shahzad Bhatti Network, officials said on Friday.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash said the accused were allegedly promised Rs 3 lakh to execute the targeted killing, film the attack and send the video to Pakistan.

The ATS arrested Gagandeep Singh, Rajat Kumar and Krish, all from Punjab, in Lucknow on October 30, acting on intelligence about the alleged conspiracy. A foreign-made pistol and 20 foreign-made cartridges were recovered from their possession.

According to Yash, preliminary questioning revealed that the accused were allegedly in contact with a Pakistan-based handler, identified as Rana Bhai, through Instagram and WhatsApp. They were reportedly provided financial assistance to travel to Lucknow and carry out the assignment.

The accused had allegedly planned to escape to Nepal after the attack to evade arrest, the officer said. Investigators also recovered what they described as significant digital evidence from the accused's mobile phones, including suspicious chats, videos and material related to reconnaissance of sensitive establishments. The material allegedly included details of the locations shared with the Pakistan-based handler.

Yash said the weapons and ammunition were allegedly supplied in Lucknow by another person associated with the network. Preliminary questioning also indicated that the weapons had been sent from Pakistan, he added.

The officer described the arrests as a "significant breakthrough" and said the ATS would seek police custody remand of the accused for further questioning. The investigation will focus on identifying other suspected conspirators, local associates, the network allegedly supplying weapons and the financial transactions linked to the plot.

Gagandeep Singh was previously booked in an Arms Act case in Punjab, Yash said. The ATS is continuing its investigation to establish the extent of the alleged conspiracy and identify others involved in the case.