The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested three men and apprehended a juvenile from Punjab for allegedly plotting to kill an Army or police official in Lucknow on the instructions of a Pakistan-based handler linked to the banned Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN), Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash said on Friday, India Today reported. The arrests were made in Lucknow on October 30 following intelligence inputs about the suspected conspiracy.

Source: India Today via News89

According to the ATS, the suspects were allegedly promised Rs 3 lakh for carrying out the targeted killing and had been instructed to record the attack and send the video to their handler in Pakistan, identified as 'Rana Bhai'. A foreign-made pistol and 20 cartridges were recovered during the operation.

Who was arrested

The arrested men have been identified as Gagandeep Singh (26), a resident of Mehta Pind in Amritsar; Rajat Kumar (19), from Himatpur in Amritsar; and Krish (21), a resident of Dera Baba in Gurdaspur, Daily Kiran reported. The juvenile was taken into police supervision; his identity is withheld as he is a minor. The group reportedly travelled from Amritsar through Delhi and reached Lucknow around midnight on October 29.

Source: Daily Kiran

A case has been registered at the ATS police station in Lucknow under relevant sections of law, the Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, reports said. The ATS said it is continuing its investigation into other individuals allegedly involved in the plot, possible local collaborators, and the network supplying weapons and funds. The allegations are yet to be tested in court.