5 Suspected Terrorists Arrested by Delhi Police After Gunfight

The five men were arrested early in the morning after an exchange of gunfire with Special Cell officers.

A scene at the site of an encounter that took place in Shakarpur area of East Delhi, Monday

(Image: IANS)

Five men with alleged links to banned outfits have been arrested by the Special Cell of Delhi Police from Shakarpur area in east Delhi on Monday, 7 December. Weapons and other incriminating materials have been recovered from their possession, the Delhi Police stated.

The suspected terrorists were identified as Shabbir Ahmed, Ayub Pathan, Riyaz Rather, Gurjeet Singh, and Sukhdeep Singh. One of them is also alleged to have been involved in the assassination of Shaurya Chakra winner Balwinder Singh in Punjab, IANS reported.

DCP Kushwaha stated that Gurjeet Singh and Sukhdeep Singh have linkages to a person named Sukhmeet, who is Gulf-based, and some other gangsters. “These are gangsters and have linkages to Pakistan-based ISI operatives,” ANI quoted Kushwaha as saying.

“The operation happened around 7 am in the Shakarpur area. The five were caught after an exchange of bullets with our special cell officials. We have recovered weapons and other incriminating materials from them.”

Pramod Kushwaha, Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Special Cell, quoted by Hindustan Times

Three pistols, 2 kg of heroin and Rs 1 lakh in cash have been recovered from their possession, said Kushwaha.

A scene at the site of an encounter that took place in Shakarpur area of East Delhi, Monday, 7 Dec, 2020. The police arrested five persons after the encounter, and it is suspected that some of them might have links to terror groups. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist)

“The arrest shows how the ISI is trying to link the Khalistan movement with terrorism in Kashmir,” ANI quoted Kushwaha, adding that the group was backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence for narcoterrorism.

He further said the gangsters are being used for target killings, to create communal disharmony and demoralising people who stand against terrorism.

When asked whether the arrested people had any links with ongoing farmers’ protest, DCP Kushwaha said that the case has no connection with the protests.

Kushwaha also revealed that of the five people arrested, one is from Kashmir and other is a Punjab gangster.

“The Punjab gangster component is involved in target killing and the Kashmir component is involved in drugs, they sell drugs and indulge in terror financing with it,” said Kushwaha.

He added that three Kashmiris who were arrested may have connections with Hizbul Mujahideen, and they maybe called “over ground workers of Hizbul”.

The police is ascertaining their intentions for presence in the capital amid already raging farmer agitation at the city borders.

(With inputs from IANS and Hindustan Times)