Maoists
[Representational Image]Reuters

At least nine people suspected to have links with Naxals were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Saturday evening from Hindon Vihar in Noida's Sector 49 while one was arrested from the Chandauli district in Uttar Pradesh.

The ATS also recovered weapons, including six pistols, 50 cartridges, three cars, 125 detonators and two laptops, from their possession at Hindon Vihar, ANI reported.

"They are adept at making bombs and were planning some incident in the Delhi-NCR region. Interrogation is still underway," ATS INspector-General of Police Aseem Arun told the media.

The arrested have been identified as Pawan Jharkhand of Madhubani in Bihar, Ranjit Paswan of Chandoli in UP, Sachin Kumar of Dankaur in Greater Noida, Krishna Kumar Ram from Sasaram in Bihar, and Suraj from Bulandshahr in UP, the Indian Express reported.

Suraj was the group's local contact for carrying out operations in the Delhi-NCR area. The group is suspected to have links with a Naxal unit from Latehar in Jharkhand.

"One of those arrested had been on the run for nearly four years. He has links with some Naxalite attacks. After he was traced, the other were arrested from Hindon Vihar. Initial investigation reveals that they were living in the area for the last 2-3 months," a senior police officer told the daily.