The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad has arrested two young men accused of being part of a dangerous network allegedly linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence. Investigators say the duo had been in contact with Pakistan-based gangsters and were preparing to carry out attacks inside India after being radicalised through social media.
The arrested men have been identified as Tushar Chauhan, also known as Hizbullah Ali Khan, a 20-year-old resident of Meerut, and Sameer Khan, also 20, from Old Seemapuri in Delhi. According to officials, both were detained in Noida after intelligence agencies tracked their suspicious activities and online contacts.
The investigation suggests that the two youths had developed direct communication with Pakistan-based criminal operatives believed to be acting under the direction of the ISI. Authorities say these handlers were attempting to destabilise India by using social media to recruit young Indians, radicalise them, and turn them into sleeper-cell operatives.
Officials claim that platforms like Instagram were used to establish contact with vulnerable youth. Through these platforms, the suspects allegedly received instructions, propaganda material, and promises of financial rewards in exchange for carrying out reconnaissance missions and violent acts.
During the operation, ATS officers recovered a pistol, five live cartridges, and a knife from the possession of the accused. Preliminary questioning revealed that Tushar Chauhan had been influenced by extremist content circulating online and later attempted to build connections with Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti.
Investigators say Tushar even created fake Instagram accounts using Bhatti’s name in an effort to gain his attention. Once contact was established, he reportedly obtained Bhatti’s phone number and began communicating with him through voice and video calls. Authorities allege that Bhatti offered him ₹50,000 as an advance payment to carry out a violent attack and promised another ₹2.5 lakh once the task was completed. He also allegedly assured him that travel arrangements to Pakistan could be made through Dubai.
Police say the handlers had instructed him to target specific individuals and even discussed plans involving grenade attacks. The weapons and funds, investigators believe, were to be supplied through the network.
During interrogation, officials also learned that Sameer Khan had been in touch with Bhatti through encrypted channels. He was reportedly assigned tasks related to spreading extremist propaganda and recruiting more young people into the network. Authorities claim he was told to spray slogans associated with extremist groups and expand their reach among local youth.
According to investigators, Tushar later connected with Sameer on Instagram, and the two began coordinating activities under instructions from their foreign handlers. Officials say they were preparing to conduct surveillance on selected targets before executing further plans.
The case has been registered at the ATS police station in Lucknow under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Arms Act, 1959, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Both accused have been produced before a court, and investigators are seeking further custody to uncover the full extent of the network.
Officials believe the case highlights how foreign handlers are increasingly using social media to influence and recruit young Indians. Authorities are now examining digital evidence recovered from the suspects’ phones to identify other individuals who may be connected to the network. The investigation is continuing as security agencies try to determine whether more sleeper-cell members are involved.