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UP Police seek terror tag for gangster Shahzad Bhatti, his network
Cops say Pakistan-based gang allegedly trying to radicalise Indian youth through social media; 52 accused held in 12 cases so far
The Uttar Pradesh Police have sought the Centre’s approval to designate Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti and his network as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, citing its alleged links with anti-national and terror activities, confirmed additional director general (law and order), UP, Amitabh Yash on Thursday.
In July, the UP Police also wrote to the Union home ministry seeking action under Section 35(1)(a) read with Section 35(2) of the UAPA. It requested the Centre to exercise its powers to include the Shahzad Bhatti network and its members in the Fourth Schedule of the Act by declaring them terrorists, the ADG said.
He further said the Shahzad Bhatti network was allegedly operating on the directions of Pakistan’s intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and using social media platforms to connect with and radicalise young Indians in different states. He said the network allegedly lured youths with money and jobs and subsequently involved them in criminal and terror-related activities.
Police investigations have revealed that members of the network allegedly encouraged recruits to threaten or target ex-Muslims, Hindu religious leaders, politicians and police personnel, besides carrying out attacks on BJP/RSS offices, police stations and other sensitive establishments with bombs, grenades and petrol bombs to create terror.
Investigators also found that recruits were allegedly first made to undertake smaller terror-related activities—including extortion, arson, issuing threats, putting up jihadi posters and throwing petrol bombs—before attempts were made to involve them in larger terror attacks, the police said.
They said prominent active members of the network include Abid Jatt, Hammad Memon alias Hammad Barkati, Javed Pakistani, Raza Bhai Pakistani, Ajmal Gujjar, Rashid Bhatti, Rana Hunain, Major Iqbal, Major Hameed and Major Anwar among others.
The UP Police and its specialised units, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Special Task Force (STF), have been developing intelligence received from central agencies and their own intelligence platforms to act against the network, the document said.
As part of the statewide operation on May 26, carried out jointly with central investigative agencies, around 175 suspects linked to the Shahzad Bhatti network were examined. Police said important information emerged during the operation, following which cases were registered and further legal action initiated.
Since then, the UP Police have registered 12 cases and arrested 52 accused, according to details shared by the ADG. Pistols, live cartridges, knives, inflammable liquids and objectionable posters were among the items allegedly recovered from those arrested.
The 12 cases include eight registered by the UP ATS in Lucknow and cases registered in Hapur, Kaushambi under the Trans-Hindon Commissionerate of Ghaziabad, Bijnor’s Kiratpur and Nagal police stations. Several of the cases invoke provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act and the UAPA, while two cases also invoke the Official Secrets Act.
Apart from arrests, preventive action under Section 127 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has been initiated against around 60 suspects in different operations against the network, the police said.
The police stepped up operations again on August 12, ahead of Independence Day, based on their own intelligence inputs, social-media monitoring, investigation findings and intelligence received from central agencies. During coordinated statewide operations, around 62 people allegedly linked to Shahzad Bhatti and his network were identified and questioned.
The police said those questioned included people allegedly involved in anti-national and terror activities either directly or on the instructions of the network members.
