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News18
23-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Delhi Police forms special Operation Cell to monitor terror activities online
New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) The Delhi Police has constituted 'Operation Cell", a dedicated team of cyber experts that will monitor terrorism-related activities on social media, dark web and bomb threats, an official said on Wednesday. The newly formed unit will function under the Special Cell, the anti-terror unit of the force, he said. 'The Operation Cell will primarily focus on monitoring Khalistan terrorism-related activities, both within India and from foreign entities, particularly via social media platforms," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Amit Kaushik said. The DCP said that a wanted criminal, identified as Akashdeep, associated with the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International has been arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police. Akashdeep was wanted in multiple cases, including a grenade attack on Qila Lal Singh police station in Punjab's Batala on April 7 and illegal supply of arms to criminals in Delhi, he said. 'Operation Cell has already started working and is giving better results," the DCP said. Another police officer, on the request of anonymity, said that the expert team will also check the dark web for the bomb related calls and emails. The team has been tasked with round-the-clock surveillance of suspicious online content, digital footprints of banned outfits, and any material that may pose a threat to national security, the officer added. The officer said that Operation Cell will maintain a strict 24×7 vigil on the online activities of proscribed terrorist organisations, including Babbar Khalsa International, Indian gangsters based in foreign countries and cross-border networks suspected of engaging in or promoting radical activities. 'The Cell will actively monitor various social media handles and internet-based communications used by terrorist groups. Any suspicious post or digital content will be flagged immediately and reported to the seniors," the officer added. The officials said the increasing use of digital platforms for radicalisation, recruitment and communication by terror outfits has necessitated the formation of a specialised monitoring cell. 'This is a proactive step to stay ahead of terror elements who are increasingly operating through virtual networks. By tracking their movements in the digital space, we aim to prevent any attempt to disrupt peace and security in the capital," the officer added. The Operation Cell will also coordinate with central intelligence agencies and state police units to share real-time intelligence and support ongoing investigations related to terror funding and sleeper cells. With the working of the Operation Cell, the Delhi Police aims to enhance its digital surveillance capabilities and ensure the safety of citizens by neutralising threats at the earliest stage possible. The team will also search the source involved in sending bomb threats to multiple schools and colleges in the national capital, according to the officials. In mid-July, some schools and colleges in Delhi received a wave of hoax bomb threat emails. Between July 14-16, around 10 institutions — nine schools and one college — were targeted, and by July 18, about 45 more schools had received threats, bringing the weekly total to approximately 55 to 60 such alerts. However, all were declared false after thorough inspections by police, bomb squads and fire services. One sender, a 12-year-old student, was traced and counselled. 'Authorities continue investigating threats, which were routed via anonymous servers using Virtual Private Networking and dark web platforms. The incident disrupted academics and heightened parental anxiety. PTI BM NB view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Indian Express
3 held for stealing scooters, including one belonging to Chandigarh woman constable; vehicles seized
The Chandigarh Police's Operation Cell arrested three people and recovered two stolen Honda Activa scooters, one of which belonged to a woman constable and was lifted from the parking area behind the police headquarters, officers said Friday. The arrests were carried out as part of ongoing efforts to crack down on street-level vehicle thefts in Chandigarh. All three were produced in court on Friday, and sent to judicial custody. The police identified the accused as Aman, 25, of Chandigarh, Amit, 27, and Shivam alias Monu, 25, residents of Baltana in Punjab. They were caught with two stolen two-wheelers linked to First Information Reports (FIRs) registered in Sector-3 and Sarangpur police stations. Officers said that on Thursday, during a checking near Golf Turf in Sector-26, a team intercepted Amit and Shivam as they rode a Honda Activa. The duo failed to produce documents for the vehicle and on verifying records, the scooter was found to be stolen as per a case registered by a woman constable at the Sector 3 police station in Chandigarh. During a separate patrol in Sector 26 near the National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training and Research (NITTTR), another team apprehended Aman, who was riding another stolen Activa scooter bearing a Chandigarh registration number. This vehicle was found to be stolen as per a case registered at Sarangpur police station. All three accused men were taken into custody. Investigation has revealed their involvement in more vehicle thefts as well as other criminal cases.


Indian Express
27-06-2025
- Indian Express
Chandigarh Police busts gang involved in more than 11 vehicle thefts, arrests ‘kingpin', three others
The Chandigarh Police's Operation Cell has claimed to have busted a notorious interstate gang allegedly involved in vehicle thefts across Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. The police have arrested three vehicle lifters and one receiver of stolen property, reportedly solving 11 vehicle theft cases related to the group known as Munna gang. A police team conducted a series of raids and naka operations. On June 26, the police arrested accused Aslam, a Ludhiana resident, from Sector 26 during a naka operation near the National Institute of Technical Teacher Training Research. He was found riding a stolen motorcycle (Splendor). According to the police, during the interrogation, Aslam revealed the whereabouts of his two gang members — Navneet Pratap Singh of Kanpur and Manoj Thakur, alias Munna, of Moradabad, who were later arrested from near the Sports Complex, Manimajra. A stolen bike (Royal Enfield Bullet) reported missing from Sector 22, was also recovered. Thakur, the alleged kingpin of the gang, is a proclaimed offender and is involved in over 33 criminal cases across the northern states, police said. His accomplice, Aslam, has a record of over a dozen vehicle theft cases. The gang confessed to stealing vehicles in Chandigarh and later transporting them to Ludhiana for dismantling, resale, or disposal of parts like batteries. On the basis of their disclosures, police recovered three Honda City vehicles, three Honda Activa, three Hero Splendor and three Royal Enfield motorcycles, and eight batteries. Further investigations led to the arrest of Jaiparkash alias Betia from New Smart Colony, Ludhiana — a known receiver of stolen property. Documents of stolen vehicles and batteries were recovered from his possession. All accused were presented before the court and have been remanded in two days of police custody to aid further investigation and recovery efforts.