In a significant counter-terror operation, the Delhi Police Special Cell on Sunday announced the arrest of three members of an international Pakistan-backed gangster-turned-terror module allegedly being run from abroad by Pakistani national Shehzad Bhatti, a figure now increasingly seen as a major security threat across India’s northern states.
The arrests, made in Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, have brought to light a meticulously planned terror network that has been conducting reconnaissance across multiple locations and carrying out targeted grenade attacks under Bhatti’s remote instructions.
Those arrested have been identified as:
Hargunpreet Singh (Punjab)
Vikas Prajapati (Datia, Madhya Pradesh)
Arif (Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh)
Delhi Police officials said the trio was directly involved in the November 25 hand-grenade attack outside the Gurdaspur City Police Station, an incident that triggered alarm in Punjab due to its coordination and timing.
Additional CP (Special Cell) Pramod Kumar Kushwaha revealed that Bhatti is “working at the behest of the Intelligence Agency of Pakistan” and had been remotely guiding the module through encrypted communication and social media apps.
During a press briefing, Kushwaha said: “The Special Cell has busted a module being led by Pakistani national Shehzad Bhatti, who is currently operating at the behest of Pakistan’s intelligence agency. Three accused have been arrested, they executed the recent grenade attack in Gurdaspur.”
He added that surveillance footage, digital trails and intercepted communication confirm that the operatives had multiple other targets, where they had already conducted reconnaissance and videography in preparation for additional grenade attacks.
Police said Bhatti, long involved in cross-border gang activity has now shifted fully to terror facilitation, recruiting young men through social media platforms and encrypted messaging apps.
“Bhatti was directly coordinating with the arrested individuals and had radicalised them with propaganda, using social media channels,” Kushwaha said.
The module, officers said, had one or two additional active members, whose details are being shared with Punjab Police for further action.
Bhatti, originally from Pakistan’s Punjab, is known for his fluid identity, he reportedly holds a Moroccan passport, is active in the UAE, and has repeatedly posted videos calling himself a “soldier of Islam and Pakistan.”
He is infamous for his earlier association with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, before the relationship soured earlier this year.
The fallout escalated when Lawrence Bishnoi publicly warned Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack in April. In response, Bhatti released threatening videos claiming he would “expose” details related to high-profile murders including those of Sidhu Moosewala and NCP leader Baba Siddique.
The Delhi Police arrests come just a day after Anmol Bishnoi, brother of Lawrence Bishnoi, submitted a legal application claiming that Bhatti had issued online threats to kill him.
Anmol, currently in NIA custody, said he and his family were under “constant fear” and requested enhanced police protection.
“Such threats cannot be taken lightly, as online threats have previously translated into real-world violent attacks,” his application stated.
Anmol, deported from the US earlier this month is wanted in multiple high-profile cases, including:
The murder of Baba Siddique
Firing outside Salman Khan’s Bandra residence in April 2024
The murder conspiracy of Sidhu Moosewala
He is the 19th accused arrested under the NIA’s crackdown on the India-based wing of the Bishnoi syndicate.
Security officials describe Bhatti as a “dangerous hybrid” of gangster and terror facilitator. Key reasons:
1) Direct support from Pakistani intelligence
2) Overseas safe haven
3) Ability to tap into gang networks across Punjab, Haryana and UP
4) Access to weapons and funds through cross-border handlers
5) Heavy use of digital propaganda and radicalisation
6) The grenade attack in Gurdaspur and the arrests have now confirmed his shift from organised crime to active terror planning.
Delhi Police say the module is part of a larger ecosystem that includes recruiters, radicalisers, weapons suppliers and foreign handlers.
Coordination with Punjab Police, NIA, and central intelligence agencies is underway to identify remaining operatives.
“Links of this module extend into multiple states and overseas territories,” Kushwaha said. “This is just the beginning.”
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