NIA Arrests Bidar Youth Over Alleged WhatsApp Contact With Pakistan-Based Terror Operatives
he National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a 24-year-old man from Karnataka’s Bidar district over his alleged links with Pakistan-based terrorist Shahzad Bhatti and two other suspected operatives, according to police. The accused, identified as Vishal Kumar Metre, was arrested on October 1 in coordination with local police.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a 24-year-old man from Karnataka’s Bidar district over his alleged links with Pakistan-based terrorist Shahzad Bhatti and two other suspected operatives, according to police. The accused, identified as Vishal Kumar Metre, was arrested on October 1 in coordination with local police.
Vishal, a resident of Yanakura village in Bhalki taluk, was allegedly in contact with Bhatti, Rana Hunain and Nomi Khan through his mobile phone and WhatsApp, police said. Central agencies had reportedly been monitoring his activities since December 2025. NIA Files Chargesheet Against Nine Accused in Online Radicalisation Case.
NIA Arrest in Bidar
Bidar Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti said court proceedings in the case were underway and that further details would be shared after the proceedings are completed. The accused is a graduate and had allegedly remained in contact with the Pakistan-based operatives for some time, according to police.
Local police also became involved in the investigation after Vishal was reported missing, following which his movements were tracked. He has been booked under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), while Chincholi police have registered a case and are assisting the central agency.
Investigation Into Alleged Pakistan Links
Investigators are examining the nature of the alleged communications, the material exchanged and whether Vishal had any role beyond maintaining contact with the suspected operatives. Further questioning and court proceedings are expected to provide more details about the case. Antilia Bomb Scare: NIA Court Grants Bail to Former Mumbai Cop Sachin Waze.
The arrest comes amid continued investigations by central and state agencies into suspected links between individuals in Karnataka and Pakistan-based terror networks. Police sources cited in the report said it was the third arrest in Karnataka in the preceding 15 days in cases involving alleged terror links. Karnataka has previously seen investigations into suspected terror modules. In September 2026, an NIA court in Bengaluru sentenced an accused in the Shivamogga Islamic State conspiracy case to six years' rigorous imprisonment, marking the fourth conviction in that case.
The NIA has also investigated cases linked to Pakistan-based terrorist Shahzad Bhatti. In June 2026, the agency conducted searches at 18 locations in Punjab and Haryana in three cases allegedly linked to Bhatti. The investigation into the Bidar arrest is continuing, with agencies examining the alleged communications and possible wider links.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 03, 2026 05:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
