Bidar: A 24-year-old man from Bidar's Bhalki Taluk has been arrested on terror charges and for allegedly maintaining contact with Pakistan-based designated terrorist Shahzad Bhatti, police said on Saturday.
The arrested Vishal Kumar Metre was in touch with Bhatti through WhatsApp and Instagram and discussed about illegal firearms.
Police said Metre of Yenkoor village was in contact with Pakistan-based terrorists Bhatti, Rana Hunain and Nomi Khan, besides Ashu Sharma of Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh and Raj Bhai of Khargone in Madhya Pradesh and persons involved in illegal arms smuggling and sale.
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When police questioned him, he initially denied having links with terrorist organisations or illegal arms networks.
He also declined to hand over his phone but ultimately yielded.
"On conducting a preliminary examination of his mobile phone and checking his Instagram and WhatsApp applications, it was found that he had used these applications to establish contact with Pakistan-based designated terrorist Shahzad Bhatti and his associate Rana Hunain," the FIR said.
Metre was also in contact with Nomi Khan and had conversations concerning the illegal smuggling and sale of firearms.
The FIR further alleged that Hunain sent Metre links to WhatsApp channels named "Rahe Haq" and "RANA BHAI 333", which he allegedly joined. He viewed posts and videos described by police as "anti-national and prejudicial" to India's unity and sovereignty.
Police also alleged that Metre had been in contact with Ashu Sharma and Raj Bhai alias Lucky Singh through WhatsApp and Instagram and that he had been involved in "anti-national activities" since December 2025.
The case was registered at Khatak Chincholi Police Station under Sections 18 (conspiring terror activities), 20 (member of a terrorist organisation) and 39 (supporting terrorist activities) of the UAPA and Sections 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) read with 3(5) (common intent) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
