Suspected Pakistan-linked operative arrested in Banaskantha by Gujarat ATS

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and Banaskantha Special Operations Group (SOG) have apprehended a suspected operative linked to an international network near the state border. The accused, believed to be associated with Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatt’s gang, was reportedly wanted in a serious grenade smuggling case in Punjab.

According to reports, security agencies received specific intelligence that Bikramjit Singh alias Vicky who was on the radar of Punjab Police was hiding in the Deesa area of Banaskantha district. Acting on this input, ATS and SOG teams kept surveillance and detained him from a roadside dhaba on a highway in Deesa. His arrest is believed to be a significant breakthrough against an alleged cross-border smuggling network.

Investigators suspect that Bikramjit was working for a network allegedly linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. He is believed to have played a key role in planning grenade-related incidents in Punjab and was allegedly involved in attempts to create instability in India under directions from handlers across the border.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the accused was not only involved in smuggling activities but also allegedly engaged in recruiting local youth. He is suspected of influencing them to join illegal and anti-national activities, posing a potential threat to internal security.

Gujarat security agencies are currently probing his wider network, contacts, and the purpose of his stay in the state. After initial procedures, he is expected to be handed over to Punjab Police for further investigation and legal action.