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Two Arrested in Karnataka Over Alleged Pakistan-Linked Instagram Plot

Police say suspected social-media orders from a Pakistan-based handler sought to recruit youths, plan a Pune murder, mount blasts, with devices now submitted to a forensic lab.

Overview

  • Tumakuru police arrested two men after examining Instagram chats found on a local contact's phone, an inquiry that took place on June 4 and led investigators to the suspects.
  • Authorities identified the detainees as Alla Bakhsh, 23, of Sriramanagar, and Zamir Khan, 23, a mason from Davangere, and say both are now in custody and being questioned.
  • Police allege the suspects communicated in Hindi with a Pakistan-based handler known as 'Rana' or 'Rana Bai' who gave instructions to organise youths and direct violent acts inside India.
  • The Intelligence Bureau had been monitoring the leads for about a month before local police made the arrests, and seized electronic devices have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis.
  • Officials stress the case is at a preliminary stage and investigators are working to verify chat claims about murder and blasts, to map any wider network, and to determine possible security implications for other cities.