Ahmedabad: In a breakthrough against an interstate terror-linked network, Gujarat ATS and Banaskantha SOG Saturday arrested a key accused linked to a grenade smuggling and attack conspiracy in Punjab, officials said. The accused, identified as Bikramjit Singh alias Vicky, a resident of Amritsar, was nabbed from Deesa, where he was working as a labourer at a roadside eatery while evading arrest.The operation followed a specific input shared by Punjab Police regarding Singh’s whereabouts. Acting on the intelligence, Gujarat ATS, under the supervision of SP K Siddharth, formed a team led by DySP Harsh Upadhyay along with Banaskantha SOG personnel. The team tracked Singh to a dhaba in Deesa and detained him before bringing him to Ahmedabad for interrogation.According to sources, during preliminary questioning by ATS officials, Singh revealed his links with Pakistan-based gangster Shehzad Bhatti and his associate Abid Jutt.Investigators said gangster Shehzad Bhatti is believed to be working in coordination with Pakistan’s ISI and has been orchestrating grenade attacks targeting police establishments, security units and prominent individuals in Punjab.Officials said Singh played a crucial role in the network by recruiting local youths from Punjab and facilitating logistics for grenade supply and attacks as per instructions received from handlers operating from across the border. He was absconding from Punjab and was using Gujarat as a hideout to avoid detection.The case is registered with the State Special Operation Cell, Amritsar, under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Explosive Substances Act and Arms Act. Following his detention, Singh was handed over to SSOC Amritsar for further investigation and legal action.ATS officials said further probe is underway to identify other members of the network and trace the supply chain of explosives.
