Dehradun Man Arrested For Spying For Pakistani Terrorists, Wanted To Avenge Sidhu Moosewala Killing

Last Updated:April 11, 2026, 15:03 IST

Uttarakhand STF arrests man accused of spying for Pakistan linked handler, sharing defence site data and plotting attacks, while UP police detain two in related terror probe.

In a major development, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttarakhand Police has arrested a 29-year-old man for allegedly working on instructions from a Pakistan-based terrorist. According to an NDTV report, officials said the accused, identified as Vikrant Kashyap, was held from the Prem Nagar area of Dehradun late on Thursday evening.

Alleged links to Pakistan-based handler

Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh said Kashyap was allegedly acting under the direction of Shehzad Bhatti, who is believed to be linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He was reportedly sharing location details and photographs of key government and defence installations in Dehradun with handlers based in Pakistan.

Police said Kashyap was in contact with Bhatti and others through Instagram and WhatsApp.

Sensitive locations targeted

During the investigation, it emerged that Kashyap had sent images and videos of several important locations, including the police headquarters and the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT). He was also allegedly instructed to plant bombs at these sites.

Officials said a .32-bore pistol, seven live cartridges and a spray-paint can were recovered from his possession at the time of arrest.

Motive linked to Sidhu Moosewala

During questioning, Kashyap told investigators that he was a fan of slain Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala and had contacted Bhatti in an attempt to avenge his killing. Moosewala was shot dead in Punjab’s Mansa district in May 2022.

Instructions for propaganda activity

Police said Kashyap was also asked to carry out propaganda activities. He was allegedly told to spray-paint “Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan (TTH)" on walls of key buildings in Dehradun and record videos of the act.

The SSP added that Kashyap had been based in Punjab’s Nabha between 2024 and 2025 and was promised relocation to Dubai via Nepal by his handlers. Authorities have recovered sensitive data from his mobile phone.

Arrests in Uttar Pradesh

In a separate case, two men were arrested in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district for allegedly being in contact with a Pakistan-linked handler based in Dubai.

Police identified the accused as Uvaid Malik and Jalal Haider. Circle Officer Anjani Kumar Chaturvedi said the arrests were made after inputs about their links with Aqib, a resident of Meerut currently staying in Dubai.

Probe into online radicalisation

According to police, Aqib had earlier drawn attention after a video surfaced on Instagram showing him allegedly displaying an AK-47 rifle and explosives. During interrogation, the arrested men claimed that Aqib used to incite youngsters against Hindus and promote anti-national activities.

Case reopened, officials suspended

The video first appeared in November last year, and a case was registered at Nangal police station. However, the then investigating officer had concluded that the weapons seen were toys and filed a final report, effectively clearing Aqib.

Fresh findings have now raised concerns about his links, and the case has been handed over to the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS). Police have also taken action against officials involved earlier, suspending the then station house officer and investigating officer, while removing Circle Officer Nitesh Pratap Singh from his post.

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