Was a Major Terror Plot by the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Foiled in Rajasthan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Collaboration between law enforcement agencies is crucial in combating organized crime.
- The Lawrence Bishnoi gang poses a significant threat through planned terror activities.
- Proactive intelligence gathering can prevent potential attacks.
- The use of online platforms for recruitment highlights a new trend in criminal activities.
- Continued vigilance is necessary to ensure public safety.
Jaipur, Aug 11 (NationPress) The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of CID (CB) Police Headquarters in Rajasthan, in collaboration with the Special Operation Cell from Amritsar (Punjab), successfully disrupted a significant terror scheme associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, as reported by an official on Monday.
The suspects had devised a plan for grenade explosions in Nawashahr (Jalandhar, Punjab) and were also targeting Delhi and Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) around the time of Independence Day.
On July 7, a member of the Bishnoi gang detonated a grenade outside a liquor store in Nawashahr to instill fear and extort funds.
Investigative efforts led police units to Jaipur and Tonk, where the suspects were apprehended on Sunday, thwarting their plans for further attacks.
Under the guidance of ADGP Crime Dinesh M.N. and the oversight of ASP Siddhant Sharma, the undercover team, spearheaded by Inspector Ram Singh and SI Narendra Singh, operated in high-risk regions, collecting vital intelligence.
The arrested individuals include Jitendra Chaudhary (from Tonk), Sanjay (from Hanumangarh), and Sonu alias Kali (from Punjab), along with three minors, who were subsequently handed over to the Punjab Police.
Interrogation disclosed that their handler, Zeeshan Akhtar, was based in Canada and had previously taken credit for the assassination of Baba Siddiqui in Mumbai.
Zeeshan, in partnership with Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti and associates Manu Agwan and Gopi Navasharia (from Punjab), was recruiting local youths through Instagram and other online platforms, enticing them with financial rewards for criminal endeavors.
Zeeshan provided grenades to the suspects, who executed the Nawashahr blast before escaping to Rajasthan. He had tasked them with implementing significant explosions in Delhi and Gwalior around August 15.
This coordinated effort was carried out by the AGTF CID (CB) team: Inspector Ram Singh, SIs Narendra Singh and Dushyant Singh, HC Shahid Ali, and constables Ravindra Singh, Mahendra Singh, Devendra Singh, Jitendra Kumar, and driver Dinesh Kumar. Constable Sanjay provided technical assistance.
Authorities state that investigations are ongoing to identify additional members of the network and prevent any forthcoming attacks.