NIA searches 18 locations in Punjab, Haryana in three Pak-based terrorist Shahzad Bhatti-linked terror cases

New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday conducted searches at multiple locations in Punjab and Haryana in connection with three terror-gangster network cases linked to Pakistan-based terrorist Shahzad Bhatti.

NIA teams carried out coordinated searches at 18 locations across nine districts in the two states. Several individuals were examined to gather relevant information, while digital devices, documents, and data related to communication networks, financial transactions, and the activities of persons under the agency’s scanner were seized in connection with the three cases.

The information and evidence collected during the searches have been sent for scrutiny, as well as forensic and technical examination, to help unravel the larger cross-border conspiracy.

Notices have also been issued to certain individuals to join the investigation for further questioning as part of the NIA’s ongoing probe into the broader conspiracy allegedly being operated by gangster-turned-terrorist Bhatti from across the border. Tuesday’s searches focused on identifying Bhatti’s associates and others linked to the terror conspiracy in all three cases.

According to the NIA, investigations in case RC-22/2025/NIA/DLI have traced the March 2025 grenade attack at the residence of social media influencer Roger Sandhu in Punjab's Jalandhar to Bhatti. In April, the agency chargesheeted Bhatti, who remains absconding, along with another accused in the case.

The NIA has further found that Bhatti also masterminded the November 2025 explosion at the Women Police Station in Haryana's Sirsa (case RC-24/2025/NIA/DLI), and the January 2026 blast at the Baldev Nagar Police Station in Haryana'a Ambala (case RC-03/2026/NIA/DLI). In the Sirsa case, the agency chargesheeted nine individuals, including Bhatti and another Pakistan-based handler, Sohail Ahmad alias Sohail Baloch, in May.

The Baldev Nagar Police Station case relates to a car bomb explosion, in which one arrested accused was found to have been in contact with Bhatti.

Investigations in all three cases are continuing as part of the NIA’s efforts to trace every link in the terror network and bring those responsible to justice.

--IANS

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