Uttar Pradesh ATS Thwarts Terror Plot: 3 Arrested, Including 2 Pakistani Nationals

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has successfully thwarted a potential terror plot by apprehending two Pakistani nationals and their accomplice who had infiltrated the country through the India-Nepal border under the guise of Indian citizens, as reported by an official statement.

The individuals detained have been identified as Mohammed Altaf Bhat, Sayyed Gazanfar, both residents of Pakistan, and Nasir Ali from Srinagar. According to the ATS, Mohammed Altaf Bhat had undergone training from Hizbul Mujahideen, facilitated by Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. The trio was allegedly plotting terrorist activities within India.

The arrests were made following intelligence reports indicating the infiltration of Pakistani nationals into India through the Nepal border with the assistance of the ISI. Moreover, there were alarming indications that these individuals were preparing to carry out terrorist attacks in India, having undergone training at Hizbul Mujahideen’s camps, purportedly sponsored by the ISI.

A comprehensive search led to the recovery of forged documents including passports, Aadhar cards, and mobile phones, along with two Pakistani identification cards.

Inspector General of ATS, Nilabja Chaudhary, emphasized the meticulous surveillance and intelligence gathering that led to the interception of the suspects at Farenda village in Sonauli, situated along the India-Nepal border.

Mohammad Altaf, during interrogation, revealed his Kashmiri origins but confessed to relocating to Pakistan where he received training from various terrorist outfits. He expressed allegiance to Pakistan and disclosed the ISI’s intentions to incite unrest by manipulating local youth against India.

The ATS unit in Gorakhpur acted swiftly upon receiving actionable intelligence and successfully apprehended the suspects on April 3, utilizing a combination of electronic and physical surveillance techniques.

The arrests underscore the ongoing efforts by security agencies to counter cross-border terrorism and highlight the necessity of heightened vigilance along sensitive borders. Authorities are conducting further investigations to unravel the extent of the terrorist network’s reach and to prevent any potential threats to national security.