Terror suspect arrested in Kalaburagi used foreign mobile number, was in 333 WhatsApp groups

KALABURAGI: The police, who are questioning the alleged terrorist arrested in Kalaburagi have uncovered several pieces of evidence showing that he was in constant contact directly with Pakistani terrorists via WhatsApp and Instagram. Now, NIA officials have taken custody of the arrested terrorist and are set to interrogate him.

Two days ago, the Kalaburagi police and UP Anti-Terrorist Squad police conducted a joint operation and arrested Samir, a terrorist from Uttar Pradesh, and are investigating him. During the investigation, several pieces of evidence of direct contact with Pakistani terrorists were found by police.

It is said that using foreign-origin mobile numbers, he was in contact with Abid Jatt and Shahzad Bhatti of a Pakistan terrorist organisation through WhatsApp and Instagram.

Hundreds of photos and videos of Pakistani terrorist organisations and anti-India content were found on terrorist Samir’s mobile. Also, a video in which Jammu and Kashmir was shown as separated from India and joined with Pakistan was found in the terrorist’s mobile gallery.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Police Commissioner, Kalaburagi City Police, Sharanappa S D says, “Kalaburagi City Police have arrested a 23-year-old youth from Uttar Pradesh… Based on his suspicious social media activities, preliminary investigation has revealed that he was engaging with… pic.twitter.com/s4AnQBOJst

— ANI (@ANI) August 13, 2026

Samir was a member of 333 WhatsApp groups of various terrorist organisations including Wemam, Jatt and Rana Bhai through foreign SIM cards. Through this, material related to anti-national activities and creating communal conflict in India was found on his mobile.

Similarly, Samir was an active member of 29+ Instagram accounts linked to terrorist organisations including ‘Sadapur Underworld 333’ and ‘Sadapur Gang Underworld 333’. It is alleged that through this he was plotting terrorist acts, and was also tasked with recruiting people for terrorist acts. Evidence has also been found by police that money was sent to Samir through Pakistani terrorist Shahzad Bhatti. Hence, a complaint has been filed at Gulbarga University police station under anti-national activities.

On Friday, the arrested terrorist Samir was produced before the 3rd Additional JMFC Court in Kalaburagi district, and the court has ordered 12 days of judicial custody. Further, given the background of close contact and financial transactions with Pakistan, NIA officials are likely to take terrorist Samir into custody for questioning.

Sameer hails from Uttar Pradesh and had come to Kalaburagi looking for a job. But in Kalaburagi he was working only in name at a meat factory. At night, he had links with Pakistan. Samir had joined work at a beef factory on the outskirts of Malagatti village in Kalaburagi taluk eight months ago. Tin sheds had been built within the factory premises for workers to stay. From his room, this Samir was continuously maintaining links with Pakistan through WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media.

After receiving information that Samir had links with Pakistan, the Central Intelligence Bureau informed UP ATS officials. The UP ATS team arrived in Kalaburagi two days ago and, with the help of Kalaburagi police, raided Samir’s room at the beef factory overnight. Later, after taking him into custody and inspecting the room, some maps were found.

Samir had joined work at the beef factory through an agency. After joining the job, along with having links with Pakistan, he had also started monitoring Pakistani social media. Based on information that he had been continuously monitoring for many days and was in constant contact with anti-national social media, the UP ATS team raided and took him into custody.

Police are also going to investigate which organisations Samir was in contact with, who he was in contact with in Pakistan, and what all information he was sharing from here. It has also come to light that he was sharing anti-national posts and content. The police have also taken custody of the arrested Samir’s mobile and sent it to FSL for examination.