In a significant counter-terror operation, Rajasthan Police and Punjab’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) have arrested six alleged operatives of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang accused of plotting Independence Day blasts in Delhi and Gwalior.

The arrests include Jitendra Chaudhary of Tonk, Sanjay of Hanumangarh, and Sonu alias Kali of Punjab’s Kapurthala, along with three minors, police said. They were picked up from Jaipur and Tonk districts on August 10 and handed over to Punjab Police’s Special Operation Cell.

According to Dinesh MN, Additional Director General of Police (Crime Branch), the men were wanted in connection with the July 7 grenade blast outside a liquor shop in Nawanshahr, Punjab. “The grenade attack was aimed at spreading terror and extorting money. The accused fled to Rajasthan after the blast,” he said.

A covert operation led by ASP Siddhant Sharma of the AGTF helped trace the suspects. “The team concealed its identity and risked their lives to gather intelligence and effect the arrests,” the ADG added.

Interrogation revealed that the group was working under the direction of Canada-based handler Zeeshan Akhtar, who allegedly coordinated with Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti, Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Manu Agwan, and gangster Gopi Nawanshahria.

Investigators say Akhtar not only provided the grenades for the Nawanshahr attack but also tasked the arrested men with carrying out explosions in Delhi and Gwalior on August 15.

Akhtar—who, according to Mumbai Police, was earlier detained in Canada—is also accused of orchestrating the murder of NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique. 

Police say he continues to exploit social media platforms such as Instagram to lure Indian youths into gangland-terror networks with promises of money.

Cases under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, including abetment of offences punishable with death and criminal conspiracy, as well as provisions of the Arms Act, have been registered against the accused.