Dehradun Man Arrested for Alleged Links to Pakistan Terrorist
Details of the Arrest
The Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttarakhand Police has detained a 29-year-old man, Vikrant Kashyap, for allegedly collaborating with a terrorist operating from Pakistan. According to police officials, Kashyap was sending sensitive information, including the locations and photographs of government and defense establishments in Dehradun, to his contacts in Pakistan.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh stated that Kashyap was reportedly influenced by an Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agent and Pakistani terrorist named Shehzad Bhatti. The arrest occurred in the Prem Nagar area of Dehradun late Thursday evening, following specific actionable intelligence.
Items Seized
During the arrest, law enforcement officials reportedly confiscated a .32-bore pistol, seven live cartridges, and a spray paint can from Kashyap’s possession. Investigators found that he had established contact with Bhatti and other Pakistan-based individuals via social media platforms Instagram and WhatsApp.
Motivation Behind the Actions
During the course of the investigation, Kashyap indicated that his admiration for the late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala motivated him to connect with Bhatti. He claimed he sought vengeance for Moosewala’s death, which occurred in May 2022 when he was shot by unidentified attackers in Punjab’s Mansa district.
Allegations of Future Plans
SSP Singh revealed that Kashyap had sent images and videos of strategic locations in Dehradun, including the police headquarters and the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT). He was allegedly directed by his handlers to carry out bombings at these sites and also instructed to spray the phrase “Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan (TTH)” on notable buildings, documenting the acts via video.
Additionally, Kashyap was reportedly based in Nabha, Punjab, and was informed by his handlers that he would be transported to Dubai via Nepal. Sensitive information related to these activities was also discovered on his mobile device.
Arrests in Uttar Pradesh
In a related development, two men were arrested in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly maintaining contact with a handler connected to Pakistan while based in Dubai. The arrested individuals, identified as Uvaid Malik and Jalal Haider, were taken into custody following intelligence reports about their ties to Aqib, a resident of Meerut currently residing in Dubai.
Officials stated that Aqib gained attention after a video surfaced on social media showing him with an AK-47 and explosives. The arrests followed their interrogation about Aqib, who reportedly encouraged anti-national activities and incited local youth against Hindus.
Investigation and Previous Developments
Ongoing investigations revealed new information regarding Aqib’s associations, prompting a review by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS). According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Jha, the controversial video featuring Aqib dates back to November, leading to a prior investigation. However, initial findings by the local police designated the weapons in the video as replicas, resulting in a clean chit for Aqib.
In light of new evidence, actions have been taken against law enforcement officials involved in the earlier investigation. The then-Station House Officer and the investigating officer have been suspended, and the Circle Officer has been relieved of his duties as the case continues to develop.
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