NIA says Bhatti network recruited UP man to transport explosives

The National Investigation Agency has claimed that Shahzad Bhatti, a key figure in a designated terror network, recruited a Ghaziabad-based individual to ferry a vehicle laden with explosives prior to a blast in Punjab, according to investigation findings released on Thursday.

The alleged recruitment was part of a broader conspiracy that led to the Punjab incident, investigators said. The role of the Ghaziabad resident in transporting the explosives-laden vehicle is being examined as part of the ongoing probe into the blast and the network's operations.

In September, the Shahzad Bhatti Network was formally declared a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, marking a significant escalation in law enforcement action against the group. The designation enables authorities to pursue broader investigative measures and freeze assets associated with the network.

The NIA investigation suggests an interstate coordination in the conspiracy, linking operatives across Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Authorities are continuing their probe to establish the full extent of the network's operations and identify additional members involved in the explosive transport and the blast.