UP Anti-Terrorism Squad probes 150 suspects over Pak terror network links

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has launched an intensive probe into the backgrounds of more than 150 suspects following the questioning of 52 people arrested over the past four months on allegations of involvement in terror activities linked to a Pakistani network.The ATS is examining the suspects’ social media accounts, chats, banking transactions and digital networks to determine whether they have links to a Pakistani terrorist network, officials said on Wednesday.More than 60 of the identified suspects have been questioned so far, while digital evidence relating to their conversations and contacts is being analysed. The ATS has also identified more than two dozen people who were in contact with the arrested accused through social media.The investigation gained momentum after the questioning of the 52 arrested suspects allegedly revealed information about the contacts and activities of more than 150 people. Investigators are now trying to establish which of them had actual links to the Pakistani network and what role they may have played. According to the ATS probe, several of the arrested accused were allegedly operating as sleeper cells for Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti and his network.The arrested suspects are accused of activities including spreading terror through arson, plotting explosions in crowded places and putting up posters of Pakistani gangsters, according to officials. The ATS is scrutinising social media conversations and other digital activity to establish whether the suspects identified during the investigation were merely in contact with the arrested accused or had deeper links with the Pakistani network. Their banking transactions are also being examined as part of the investigation.The agency is monitoring the activities of the remaining suspects and analysing their digital and financial links. It is also seeking assistance from central investigating agencies as the probe expands.The focus of the investigation is to determine which of the more than 150 people identified during the questioning had links with the Pakistani terror network and, if so, the extent of their involvement.- EndsPublished By: Prateek ChakrabortyPublished On: Aug 27, 2026 08:46 IST