UP: Two arrested for sharing sensitive details of religious sites with Pakistan-based network

Mangalore Today News Network

Hapur, Mar 19, 2026: Two alleged operatives linked to a Pakistan-based gangster network were arrested from the Dhaulana area of Hapur district for reportedly sharing photos, videos, and location details of religious sites and key locations with handlers across the border, police said on Thursday.

The accused have been identified as Azeem Rana, a resident of Peeplehda in Dhaulana, and Azad Rajput from Jai village in Meerut district. Both were arrested by Dhaulana police, who also recovered two mobile phones from their possession. Preliminary investigations revealed that Rana operated a dry fruits stall at a mall in Delhi, while Rajput worked as a contractor at a pipe factory in Gurugram.

Superintendent of Police Kunwar Gyananjay Singh said the duo had been in contact since December 2025 with an ISI-backed network linked to Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti through social media platforms.

During interrogation, the accused reportedly admitted to sharing photographs, videos, and location details of a metro station area in west Delhi, a nearby temple, and adjoining residential colonies. They also allegedly passed on similar information related to a temple in the Bisrakh area of Greater Noida.

Police said the suspects were in regular touch with their handler via social media and messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, and had conducted reconnaissance of a prominent temple in Delhi.

Officials suspect the information was shared on the instructions of the Pakistan-based handler, pointing to a possible larger conspiracy targeting religious places. Authorities are probing whether the inputs were intended for planning a major terror attack.

The arrests followed inputs from central intelligence agencies. Subsequently, multiple agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), joined the investigation and are questioning the accused.

Efforts are underway to identify other members of the network and trace further links, while police are also verifying the duo’s local contacts in the Dhaulana area.