Bidar: Karnataka Police have booked seven people, including three Pakistan-based nationals, for allegedly maintaining links with banned terrorist organisations, radicalising youths and facilitating illegal arms trafficking through social media platforms, officials said.
The FIR was registered at Khatak Chincholi police station in Bidar district on October 1. The accused include 24-year-old Vishalkumar Vijaykumar Metre of Yenkoor village, Pakistan-based nationals Shahzad Bhatti, Rana Hunain and Nomi Khan, Ashu Sharma of Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh and Raj Bhai alias Lucky Singh of Madhya Pradesh. One other person has also been named in the case.
Bidar Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti said Metre was arrested on Saturday and produced before a court.
According to the police complaint, officers received information around 3 am on October 1 that Metre was allegedly using WhatsApp and Instagram to communicate with people involved in the purchase and trafficking of illegal weapons.
A police team subsequently reached his residence and found him sleeping outside his house. A preliminary examination of his mobile phone allegedly revealed WhatsApp conversations with Shahzad Bhatti, whom police identified as a Pakistan-based designated terrorist, besides Rana Hunain and Nomi Khan.
Police alleged that the conversations involved the sale and trafficking of illegal weapons. Investigators also claimed that Hunain sent Metre links to private WhatsApp channels, including “Rahe Haq” and “RANA BHAI 333”, which he allegedly joined and where he viewed content described by police as prejudicial to India’s unity, integrity and sovereignty.
The FIR further alleges that Metre had been in contact with Sharma and Raj Bhai regarding illegal arms trafficking and that his activities had continued since December 2025.
The case has been registered under Sections 18, 20 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, along with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police said they were examining digital evidence and communications to determine the extent of the accused’s involvement and whether any weapons were actually procured or trafficked.
