LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested a Class 7 failed, 29-year-old man from Balrampur district for allegedly working at the behest of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) through a Pakistan-based handler and engaging in anti-national activities aimed at building sleeper cells and carrying out a terror attack in India.The accused, identified as Shahroz Ahmad (29), son of Ishtiyaq Ahmad and a resident of Jamdhara village under Gaisri police station in Balrampur district, was arrested by the ATS on July 19 following intelligence inputs that he had become associated with a terror network allegedly operated by Pakistani gangster Shehzad Bhatti and Abid Jatt. He worked in Mumbai as an embroidery worker. According to the ATS, the network was allegedly acting under the directions of Pakistan’s ISI and using various social media platforms to recruit and radicalise Indian youth by offering financial incentives and spreading anti-India propaganda. The objective, investigators claim, was to establish sleeper cells, disturb communal harmony, undermine India’s sovereignty and security, and facilitate terrorist activities.The ATS said its investigation revealed that Shahroz had allegedly established direct contact with Jasveer Chaudhary, whom the agency describes as a Pakistani intelligence operative working for the ISI. Their communication reportedly began on Facebook before shifting to encrypted messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Signal, to evade surveillance.‘Need brave shooters’: ATS claims recruitment began through FacebookDuring interrogation, Shahroz allegedly told investigators that in October 2025, Jasveer Chaudhary posted a message on Facebook seeking “brave shooters.” Shahroz allegedly responded to the post by commenting that “no one would be braver than me,” following which the two began communicating through Facebook Messenger before moving to encrypted messaging applications.According to the ATS, Jasveer allegedly encouraged Shahroz to participate in terrorist activities and asked him to recruit other “fearless” youths into the network.Investigators claim the handler later instructed Shahroz to travel to Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan to collect arms and explosive materials, following which he was to await further instructions to execute a terrorist act.Rs 5,000 allegedly sent for Anti-National ActivitiesThe ATS said Shahroz had been living in Mumbai and had returned to his native village in Balrampur only two days before his arrest, allegedly on the instructions of his Pakistani handler.Investigators further alleged that Rs 5,000 was transferred to Shahroz’s bank account by Jasveer Chaudhary to facilitate the planned anti-national activities.The agency said electronic devices recovered from the accused yielded digital evidence supporting the investigation. Officials also alleged that members of the network deliberately relied on encrypted messaging platforms such as Signal to avoid detection by security agencies.Case registered under BNSFollowing the arrest, the ATS registered Case No. 10/2026 at the ATS police station in Lucknow under Sections 148, 152 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).The accused has been produced before the competent court and further legal proceedings are underway.The ATS said the investigation is continuing to identify other individuals who may have been recruited or contacted by the Pakistan-based network and to determine whether any wider conspiracy was underway. The agency is also examining the digital evidence recovered from the accused to trace additional links and communications.
