H’garh man held with pistol, links with Pak operative under probe

Jaipur: Police in Hanumangarh arrested a 29-year-old man Tuesday evening after they recovered an illegal country-made pistol. They said they are probing the accused person's alleged contact on social media with a Pakistan-based militant.The accused, identified as Sunil Kumar alias Dholu, a resident of Hanumangarh Junction, was arrested during a patrol near a polytechnic college, police said. A case under the Arms Act was registered after the pistol was recovered.A senior police official said that during the investigation, officers examined Kumar's mobile phone and social media accounts and found he had sent messages and made calls via WhatsApp to a number linked to Shahzad Bhatti. Police described Bhatti as "a Pakistan-based militant involved in activities ranging from pouring in weapons into the country and also being in contact with terror suspects."Investigators said Kumar had followed several social media accounts using Bhatti's name and image and had attempted to initiate contact through Instagram and messaging platforms. Police also said that an account displaying Bhatti's photograph was found to be following Kumar.Authorities alleged Kumar shared and circulated posts related to weapons and other material linked to the militant, which they said could potentially aid in spreading extremist influence. Based on these findings, police registered a separate case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and further investigation is underway.Officials added that Kumar has a criminal history, with around 10 cases previously registered against him across police stations under serious charges, including illegal arms possession and assault.Hanumangarh district has previously figured in investigations related to narcotics smuggling, arms and contraband, with agencies flagging the route as sensitive. Police said they are examining whether any such links exist in the present case.