Threats issued to blow up schools,

a Bollywood actor’s residence and Diljit Dosanjh’s show

Fake email network behind bomb

threats in Noida, Gurugram and Mumbai; ATS investigation underway

Lucknow, Oct 29 (HS): Under the Yogi government, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist

Squad (UP ATS) remains continuously active in strengthening security

arrangements across Uttar Pradesh and curbing anti-national activities. In this

connection, UP ATS has arrested 24-year-old Ankit Shankhwar from Kanpur Nagar

for creating fake email IDs, selling them to individuals based outside the

country and sending threatening emails. The investigation has revealed that

these email IDs were used to issue bomb threats against schools and important

establishments in Noida, Delhi-NCR, Gurugram and Mumbai.

The case also includes a threat to

target singer Diljit Dosanjh’s proposed show in Delhi-NCR with a bomb blast. A

threat was also issued to carry out a bomb blast at the residence of a

Bollywood actor. The accused sold fake email IDs to individuals based in

Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries and received payments in

cryptocurrency in return. ATS has recovered a mobile phone and a laptop from

the accused. Approximately 5 lakh email IDs were found on the laptop.

According to UP ATS, the accused

had been creating fake email IDs since 2021. He used Wi-Fi and proxy networks

to conceal his identity. He was selling these IDs through groups on Facebook, a

social media platform. During questioning, contacts with individuals and groups

in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Türkiye, Egypt and other countries also came to light.

Information related to WhatsApp numbers from different countries and a large

volume of USDT cryptocurrency transactions was also found on the accused’s

mobile phone.

According to ATS, the accused had

provided fake email IDs to Bangladeshi national Alamin Islam. In return, he was

paid 6,000 USDT. The investigating agency is now working to ascertain the role

of other individuals linked to this network.

The email ID used to send

threatening messages to schools in Noida, Delhi and Gurugram was among the fake

IDs found on the accused’s laptop and mobile phone. These emails contained threats

invoking the names of the Khalistan National Army and Babbar Khalsa. The

threats also included targeting Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh’s proposed event

in Delhi-NCR and the residence of a well-known Bollywood actor.

Additionally, another email ID

used in the case involving a bomb threat sent to the Mayor’s Office in Mumbai

on October 23, 2026, was also found in the accused’s possession. According to

ATS, the investigation has also identified an ID linked to threatening emails

sent to schools in Noida and other locations on October 12.

During the arrest, approximately 5

lakh email IDs were found in Excel files on the recovered laptop. Information

associated with these IDs, including passwords, recovery email addresses and

two-factor authentication details, was also recorded.

The ATS investigation has revealed

that the accused received payments through Binance crypto wallets in exchange

for providing fake email IDs. Evidence of contact and payments involving

Bangladeshi national Alamin Islam through WhatsApp has also been found. In this

connection, a case has been registered under the relevant sections at the

Lucknow ATS Police Station.

The process of producing the

accused before the court and seeking police custody remand is underway so that

other individuals involved in the conspiracy can be identified.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi