New Delhi: A major terror conspiracy targeting the Delhi National Capital Region has been thwarted following a coordinated operation by the Special Cell of Delhi Police, leading to the arrest of two young men allegedly acting on instructions from a Pakistan-based handler.
The accused, identified as 21 year old Rajveer and 19 year old Vivek Banjara from Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior district, were taken into custody after intelligence inputs pointed to a planned series of violent attacks. Investigators revealed that the duo was linked to Shehzad Bhatti, a known gangster believed to be operating as a proxy for Pakistan’s intelligence agency.
According to police findings, the suspects were involved in planning shootings, grenade attacks and targeted killings across the region. Rajveer, considered the primary accused, was allegedly preparing to strike a prominent hotel in Delhi NCR and was receiving direct instructions from across the border.
The investigation began at the end of March after authorities received credible intelligence about a developing network. Vivek was arrested first in Gwalior’s Dabra area, followed by Rajveer’s capture in Delhi’s Sarai Kale Khan. A firearm and ammunition were recovered from Rajveer, while mobile phones seized from both individuals reportedly contained crucial digital evidence, including videos and voice messages detailing their activities.
Officials said Rajveer had been recruited through social media by an associate of Bhatti and later brought Vivek into the network. The pair were reportedly directed to procure weapons and carry out attacks in multiple locations, including an attempted shooting in Punjab that failed due to a weapon malfunction.
Subsequently, Rajveer is believed to have acquired another firearm and returned to Delhi with plans to execute a high profile attack before being intercepted by police.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify other members of the network and trace the full extent of the conspiracy.
