New Delhi: The Delhi Police have picked up an 18-year-old who was allegedly working for Pakistan-based terrorist Shahzad Bhatti. According to the police, Harmandeep Singh was allegedly involved in painting Tehreek-e-Taliban graffiti in multiple locations in Punjab.
The police found “incriminating” chats with Bhatti and his associates on Harmandeep’s phone. Police also found a black spray paint bottle Harmandeep allegedly used to write “TTH” at three locations in Talwara and Hoshiarpur in Punjab.
The Delhi Police Special Cell has been maintaining surveillance on Pakistan-based handler Bhatti, who is allegedly involved in planning terror activities in India.
During the surveillance, it was found that Harmandeep Singh alias Harman was in frequent contact with Shahzad Bhatti.
Harman has also claimed, according to the police, that his associates were involved in shooting at gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s lawyer’s vehicle at Kashmiri Gate in Delhi. Delhi Police had arrested members of the Rohit Godara gang for the incident.
Pakistan-based associate of terrorist Bhatti had also claimed responsibility for planning the shooting.
“Pakistani handlers, including terrorist Shahzad Bhatti and his associates, targeted young individuals in India through social media platforms. They lured them into gangs and selected recruits by analysing their social media profiles,” DCP (Special Cell) Narra Chaitanya said.
The handlers controlled the entire operation remotely, including reconnaissance, financial transactions, logistics, and target selection, he added. Investigation has revealed that this was a structured, foreign-controlled terror module that used monetary incentives, remote instructions, and disposable operatives to carry out planned attacks, including grenade attacks at public places in India.
Initially, the police said, the recruits were assigned low-risk tasks such as logistical support (cash transfers, arranging accommodation), reconnaissance of sensitive locations and sharing videos, and writing graffiti at sensitive places to attract public attention and expand the network. After completion of one or two low-risk tasks, handlers assigned tasks like grenade attacks or firing.
Who is Harmandeep Singh
Born in Shadi Nagar in district Rampur, Harman dropped out of school and ran away to Amritsar in 2023. Influenced by what he saw as the affluent lifestyle of gangsters, he started following them on social media, including Shahzad Bhatti and his Pakistan-based associates.
After he made contact with Pakistani terrorist Bhatti, he introduced Harman to an India-based conduit, Anas. Bhatti informed Harman that arms and ammunition were being smuggled into India via drones and would be supplied as required. “He also promised substantial financial rewards and assistance in relocating Harman to Dubai after completing assigned tasks,” the DCP said.
Bhatti had also instructed Anas and Harman to carry out a grenade attack at a police post in Rampur. However, Harman’s arrest thwarted those plans.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)