Daijiworld Media Network – Lucknow
Lucknow, Aug 27: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has intensified its investigation into the backgrounds of more than 150 suspects following the questioning of 52 people arrested over the past four months for their alleged involvement in terror-related activities linked to a Pakistani network.
The ATS is examining the suspects’ social media accounts, online chats, banking transactions and digital connections to establish whether they had links with the Pakistani terror network, officials said on Wednesday.
More than 60 of the identified suspects have been questioned so far, while investigators are analysing digital evidence relating to their communications and contacts. The agency has also identified over two dozen individuals who were reportedly in contact with the arrested accused through social media.
The investigation gathered pace after questioning of the 52 arrested persons allegedly provided information about the contacts and activities of more than 150 individuals. Investigators are now working to determine which of them had actual links with the Pakistani network and whether they played any role in its activities.
According to the ATS, several of the arrested accused were allegedly functioning as sleeper cells for Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti and his network.
The accused have allegedly been involved in activities including spreading terror through arson, plotting explosions at crowded locations and putting up posters associated with Pakistani gangsters, officials said.
The ATS is now scrutinising online conversations and other digital activity to determine whether the identified suspects merely came into contact with the arrested accused or had deeper links with the network. Their financial transactions are also being examined for possible links.
The agency is continuing to monitor the remaining suspects and analyse their digital and financial connections. Assistance from central investigating agencies is also being sought as the probe expands.
The main focus of the investigation is to establish which of the more than 150 people identified during questioning had links with the alleged Pakistani terror network and determine the extent of their involvement.