The Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) has apprehended a man in Udham Singh Nagar district for allegedly engaging in anti-national and radical activities through social media, officials said on Thursday.
After questioning the accused, STF teams carried out a late-night search operation and recovered a pistol, five live cartridges, four detonators and two AK-47 rounds. The arrested man has been identified as Mohd Salauddin, a resident of Gadarpur. Officials said he was taken into custody based on confidential intelligence inputs.
According to the STF, the arrest is part of ongoing efforts under the "Crime-free Uttarakhand" campaign aimed at maintaining national security and communal harmony.
During the investigation, officials examined the accused's mobile phone and found that he was active on several groups across Telegram, Instagram and Signal.
STF officials said the device contained content promoting radical and extremist ideologies. Investigators also found messages allegedly intended to influence and radicalise young people.
Initial investigations revealed that the accused was in touch with certain individuals based in Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh.
Officials further claimed that evidence points to an international network. According to the STF, the accused was allegedly receiving instructions from a handler based in Malaysia who is suspected to have links with Pakistan.
Investigators are now examining the suspected cross-border connections and looking into whether the accused had any role in planning a specific incident.
A case has been registered against him under Section 152 (endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India) and Section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He has also been booked under Sections 66(C) and 66(F) of the Information Technology Act related to identity theft and cyber terrorism.
Officials said all concerned intelligence agencies have been informed about the case and further legal proceedings are underway.
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