Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has busted a suspected terror module allegedly operating under instructions from Pakistani handlers, arrested four people for planning arson on railway infrastructure and conducted reconnaissance of key establishments and public properties in several cities.According to ATS officials, intelligence inputs indicate that the group was in constant touch with Pakistan-based handlers through social media platforms and was involved in anti-national activities aimed at creating terror and economic disruption.ATS investigation revealed that the gang was led by Saqib alias “Devil” (25), a resident of Meerut, who allegedly maintained links with the handlers through platforms like Telegram, Signal and Instagram. He was also allegedly linked to radical groups and foreign numbers, including those linked to Afghanistan. The module was tasked with conducting reconnaissance of important institutions, political personalities, railway signal systems and vehicles and sharing inputs with cross-border operators.Police said the group planned to damage railway signal boxes, set fire to trucks filled with gas cylinders and target key establishments to spread fear. In some cases, the accused had already carried out small arson incidents, recorded videos and sent them to their handlers in exchange for money transferred through QR codes.The ATS said the operators used online inciting identities and extremist narratives to instigate the accused to carry out attacks including targeting vehicles on religious grounds and carrying out acts associated with widespread terror propaganda.Apart from Saqib, the other accused are Arbab (20) of Meerut, Vikas Gehlawat alias Raunak (27) and Lokesh alias Papala Pandit alias Sanju (19), both of Gautam Buddha Nagar. Police said the latter two were recruited through social media and allegedly conducted reconnaissance activities in cities including Ghaziabad, Aligarh and Lucknow.Officials said the accused had also received Google location pins of the targeted sites from their operators, based on which they conducted surveillance and shared video footage.On April 2, 2026, the group had reportedly planned to carry out arson and possible explosion near railway signaling infrastructure close to Lucknow railway station. Acting on a tip-off, ATS teams reached the spot and arrested all the four accused before they could execute the plan.A case has been registered at the ATS police station in Lucknow under relevant sections of the Indian Judicial Code, 2023 and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The accused have been produced in the court and further legal proceedings are underway.During the search, ATS recovered a container filled with inflammable substance, seven mobile phones, 24 pamphlets and identity documents. Officials said detailed forensic analysis of digital devices is underway to unearth the wider network and funding channels.Preliminary inquiries reveal that the group was actively working to undermine the sovereignty and integrity of India by spreading subversion and terror. Further investigation is underway to identify additional links and possible sleeper cells, the ATS said.