LUCKNOEW: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has uncovered an alleged terror conspiracy linked to Pakistan-based handlers and arrested two suspected operatives who are accused of planning attacks on police stations, sensitive locations as well as major establishments in Uttar Pradesh. Investigators say the accused were lured through social media with promises of fame and recognition before being radicalised and recruited into anti-national activities. The arrested suspects have been identified as Daniel Ashraf (23) and Krishna Mishra (20). Daniel, a resident of Barabanki, was arrested from his hometown, while Krishna Mishra, who belongs to Kushinagar, was arrested in Gorakhpur.
According to ATS officials, both accused were allegedly working under the influence of Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and notorious Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti. Investigators claim the duo had established contact with handlers across the border through social media platforms and encrypted communication channels.
‘Work for Me, I’ll Make You Heroes’
During interrogation, ATS officials reportedly discovered that Shahzad Bhatti had manipulated the youths by glorifying anti-India activities and promising them fame. The accused were allegedly told, “If you work for me, I’ll make you heroes in India”, a statement that investigators believe played a key role in drawing them into the network. The investigation also found that the suspects were in contact with alleged terror-linked operatives Abid Jatt and Hammad through video calls, voice messages, and social media chats.
ATS officials said the accused had surveyed several police stations and sensitive government locations across Uttar Pradesh. Videos and photographs of these sites were allegedly shared with handlers sitting in Pakistan. Daniel Ashraf had even demanded weapons and financial support from his handlers. Meanwhile, Krishna Mishra was allegedly assigned a “special task” that involved targeting uniformed police personnel in Uttar Pradesh. During the raids, ATS recovered illegal weapons, live cartridges, and mobile phones containing suspicious videos and chat records linked to the spying activities.
According to the Uttar Pradesh ATS, the two suspects were not operating alone but were allegedly trying to create a sleeper cell network by recruiting more youths through social media. Officials believe their strategy involved forming small modules capable of carrying out isolated attacks to spread panic and instability.
Security agencies suspect that more individuals may have been influenced or radicalised through the same network. Investigators are now tracing the digital footprint, financial transactions, and communication history of the accused to identify other possible associates operating in Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states.
ATS Expands Investigation
Both accused were produced before a court and later sent to jail. The ATS is expected to seek custody remand for detailed interrogation to uncover the full extent of the network and determine whether any larger conspiracy was being planned. Officials are also examining whether the accused had links with other terror modules active in India or were part of a broader attempt by Pakistan-based operatives to exploit social media for recruitment and radicalisation.
