Three arrested in Lucknow over alleged plot to kill police or Army personnel
Police in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh say they have stopped a planned attack on a police officer or soldier in the city of Lucknow. The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested three men on 30 October and took a juvenile into its supervision, officials said.
The three men, all from Punjab, were named by police as Gagandeep Singh, 26, Rajat Kumar, 19, and Krish, 21. Police said they had travelled from Amritsar through Delhi and reached Lucknow on the night of 29 October.
According to the ATS, the group was allegedly acting on the instructions of a Pakistan-based handler known as “Rana Bhai”, linked to the banned Shahzad Bhatti Network. Police said the men had been promised Rs 3 lakh for carrying out the killing and told to film the attack and send the video to Pakistan.
A foreign-made pistol and 20 cartridges were recovered from the men, police said. Officers said they also found suspicious chats, videos and material linked to reconnaissance of sensitive establishments on the men’s mobile phones, and that this material had been shared with the handler. Police said the weapons had been supplied to the group in Lucknow by a local associate, and that questioning indicated the weapons were sent from Pakistan.
Why it matters
The arrests stopped an alleged attack before anyone was hurt, but the details police have released point to a wider pattern. The men were allegedly recruited and directed through Instagram and WhatsApp, and the instruction to film the killing suggests the attack was meant to be used as propaganda as well as violence.
Police also said the group had a plan to escape to Nepal after the attack. The case is being investigated under the Indian Penal Code, the Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The men have been arrested on suspicion of the offences; the allegations against them have not been tested in court.
What happens next
The ATS said it would seek police custody of the accused for further questioning. Investigators are now looking into other people involved in the alleged conspiracy, including local associates, the people who supplied the weapons and the money trail behind the plot. Police said more arrests could follow as the investigation continues.
Sources
- https://swadesi.com/news/pak-linked-plot-to-target-police-army-personnel-busted-in-lucknow-4-he-mvv19lld (PTI via Swadesi, 30 October 2026)
- https://news89.com/up-ats-foils-pak-linked-plot-to-kill-army-police-official-arrests-3/ (India Today via News89, 30 October 2026)
- https://dailykiran.com/uttar-pradesh-ats-foils-targeted-killing-plot-against-police-and-military-personnel-in-lucknow/ (Daily Kiran, 30 October 2026)
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
