Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh :
Accused was in direct contact with Shahzad Bhatti via Instagram and WhatsApp; further probe underway
In a significant breakthrough against a Pakistan-backed terror network, the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), SAS Nagar, has arrested a key associate of Pakistan-based terrorist Shahzad Bhatti and recovered a .30 bore pistol from his possession. The action was taken as part of the ongoing drive to ensure peace and security in Punjab, in line with the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Sunday.
The arrested accused has been identified as Raman Kumar alias Golu, a resident of Gangyal in Jammu. He was earlier arrested by Ambala Police in connection with a blast case at a Police Station in Ambala, which was executed on the directions of Shahzad Bhatti. In that case, Raman Kumar had allegedly provided financial assistance to the perpetrators at Bhatti’s behest.
DGP Gaurav Yadav stated that the accused was in direct contact with Shahzad Bhatti through various social media platforms, including Instagram and WhatsApp. Investigations have revealed that Raman Kumar played an active role in facilitating terror-related activities and extending financial support to those involved in the Ambala blast case. He added that further investigations are underway to establish both forward and backward linkages in the terror network.
Sharing operational details, AIG SSOC SAS Nagar Deepak Pareek said that during a recent operation, police teams had arrested another accused, Gaurav Singh, from Mohali. Gaurav Singh was allegedly planning to carry out a targeted killing. During interrogation, he disclosed that Shahzad Bhatti had supplied a pistol to Raman Kumar alias Golu for executing targeted killings.
Following these disclosures, Raman Kumar was brought to Punjab from Ambala Jail after obtaining a production warrant and was produced before the concerned District Court. During investigation, police teams recovered a .30 bore pistol from his possession on the basis of his disclosures.
The AIG further revealed that the accused had been in contact with terrorist Shahzad Bhatti for a long period and was working under his directions. During questioning, Raman Kumar disclosed that he runs a meat shop in Gangyal, Jammu, and was also involved in local rivalries. Further investigation in the matter is ongoing.
In this connection, FIR No. 13 dated 10.12.2025 has been registered under Section 25(1) of the Arms Act and Sections 113(1) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station SSOC SAS Nagar.