The suspects allegedly planned attacks targeting prominent institutions, crowded areas, vehicles, and railway stations. (They were reportedly receiving instructions from handlers based in Pakistan.) |
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) - The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested four individuals on 2 April in connection with a suspected terror plot. The details were made public on 3 April. The accused, all residents of Uttar Pradesh, were allegedly acting under directions from Pakistan-based handlers.
Investigators say the group was in contact with these handlers through encrypted and widely used platforms such as Telegram, Instagram, and Signal. They were reportedly preparing coordinated attacks at key public locations, including railway stations and transport systems.
The accused have been identified as Saqib (alias "Devil"), Arbaab, Vikas Gehlawat (alias Raunak), and Lokesh (alias Babu, also known as Papla Pandit).
Key findings from the investigation:
- Authorities recovered a chemical-filled container, seven mobile phones, 24 posters, and Aadhaar cards from the suspects. They had allegedly planned to target the Lucknow railway station on 2 April, however, timely police intervention prevented the attack.
- Saqib, identified as the group's leader, is a resident of Agwanpur village in Meerut district and works as a barber. He reportedly established contact with foreign handlers via social media.
- Through Telegram, Instagram, and Signal, he connected with networks in Pakistan, certain radical groups, and suspicious contacts in Afghanistan. He later recruited Arbaab from the same village, followed by Vikas Gehlawat alias Raunak and Lokesh from Gautam Buddha Nagar.
- Investigators believe the accused were motivated by financial incentives and influenced by extremist ideologies. They had been trying to find out multiple locations for their dangerous plans.
- The alleged objective of the group was to create fear and instability in India. Locations were marked out in cities including Ghaziabad, Aligarh, and Lucknow.
- The suspects reportedly carried out minor arson incidents and shared videos with their handlers to gain trust, for which they received payments.
- Authorities state that the accused were emboldened to engage in violence and arson through radical ideology.