Ahmedabad, April 5 The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and police have detained Bikramjit Singh, also known as "Vicky," an accused linked to a grenade smuggling case in Punjab and suspected to be associated with a Pakistani gangster working for the ISI, in the town of Deesa in the state, officials said on Sunday.
According to the ATS, Singh allegedly played a key role in plotting attacks on police stations and other security units, following instructions from his handlers.
Based on specific information provided by the Punjab Police, a team of the ATS and the Banaskantha Police apprehended Singh in Deesa, where he was working as a labourer at a roadside restaurant, concealing his true identity, according to a release issued by the ATS.
Singh was detained on Saturday and brought to Ahmedabad for further questioning.
During preliminary questioning, Singh disclosed his alleged involvement with a network linked to Pakistani gangster Shehzad Bhatti and his associate Abid Jutt, officials said.
The interrogation revealed that Singh, Bhatti, and Jutt were allegedly involved in supplying grenades and carrying out attacks targeting security agencies.
According to the ATS, while staying outside Punjab, Singh recruited youths from his home state into the organized crime network for Bhatti and Jutt. He also played a key role in plotting attacks on police stations and other security units, following instructions from his handlers, the ATS stated.
Bhatti is a Pakistani gangster working for Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI. He has carried out terrorist activities for the ISI in the Indian state of Punjab. He is currently orchestrating grenade attacks on security units, police stations, and prominent persons in Punjab, the ATS stated.
"In this regard, the State Special Operational Cell (SSOC) Amritsar recently registered a case against him and others under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, and the Arms Act, 1959," the release said.
Officials added that following his detention, Singh, a resident of Amritsar, was handed over to the SSOC Amritsar for further legal action.