Uttar Pradesh: UP STF foil major terror plot, nab four Pakistan-linked terrorists in Lucknow

Lucknow: The UP STF has achieved a major breakthrough in Lucknow. The ATS has arrested four terrorists. All four had arrived in Lucknow to carry out a bombing at Charbagh, but the ATS apprehended them before they could execute their plan. Of the four, two terrorists hail from Meerut and two from Noida. All the arrested terrorists were in contact with Pakistani handlers, communicating through various social media platforms.

Among the arrested terrorists, the prime accused worked as a barber—a profession he used as a cover while conspiring against the nation. Upon receiving intelligence regarding the terrorists' presence in Lucknow, the ATS launched a search operation. All four terrorists were successfully captured by the ATS. During the arrests, the ATS recovered a can of inflammable material, seven smartphones, 24 pamphlets, and Aadhaar cards from their possession.

Was Major Terrorist Incident Planned for Lucknow?

Amitabh Yash, UP's Additional Director General (ADG) of Law and Order, stated that four individuals—who were actively preparing to spread terror across the country—were arrested on Friday near the Charbagh Railway Station in Lucknow. The arrested individuals are: Saqib alias David (25) from Agwanpur village (Parikshitgarh police station area) in Meerut; Arbab (20) from Meerut; Vikas Gehlawat alias Raunak (27) from Ram Vihar, Gautam Buddh Nagar; and Lokesh alias Popla Pandit alias Babu alias Sanju (19), also from Ram Vihar Colony, Gautam Buddh Nagar. According to the ATS, the four arrived in Lucknow on Friday and, in collaboration with accomplices, intended to damage railway signals and railway infrastructure near the Lucknow Railway Station through acts of arson or bombings. The ATS arrested them before they could carry out this plan.

The ATS had received intelligence indicating that an Indian module was in constant contact with Pakistani handlers via various social media platforms and was actively orchestrating anti-national activities. The module's primary objective was to conduct reconnaissance on critical national institutions and prominent political figures, relay the gathered intelligence to their Pakistani handlers, and devise plans to inflict damage upon them. Used to Solicit Funds by Sending Videos of Incidents Occurring in the Country

The ATS has arrested Saqib alias 'Devil' (25)—son of Shakeel Ahmed—and Arbab (20)—son of Rahishuddin—both residents of Agwanpur (Parikshitgarh Police Station area, District Meerut); as well as 27-year-old Vikas Gahlawat alias 'Raunak'—son of Ravindra, a resident of Ram Vihar—and Lokesh alias 'Paplat' (19)—son of Rohtash Sharma, a resident of Ram Vihar Colony, Chapraula (District Noida). Interrogation by the ATS has revealed that the arrested terrorists had recently carried out acts of arson at several locations. Following these incidents, the terrorists would record videos, send them to their Pakistani handlers, and solicit funds via QR codes.

What has interrogation revealed?

Driven by greed for money, all four arrested terrorists had begun hatching anti-national conspiracies. The gang's ringleader had recruited Arbab—a resident of his own village—to participate in these activities. By luring them with the promise of money, he also inducted Vikas and Lokesh—both residents of Noida—into his gang. Interrogation further revealed that the four individuals also conducted reconnaissance (recce) of prominent institutions and vehicles.

The gang had carried out surveillance on vehicles and railway signal boxes in cities such as Ghaziabad, Aligarh, and Lucknow. After executing an incident, the gang would record videos of the event and transmit them to their Pakistani handlers. The Pakistani handlers would provide the Google locations of various prominent institutions, which served as the basis for the gang's reconnaissance operations.