LUCKNOW, April 7 -- A suspected terror cell operating on Pakistani handlers' instructions allegedly dangled "major rewards" and promised the introduction of a mysterious female operative to escalate attacks across northern India, investigators have revealed.

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad's (UP ATS) interrogation of Saqib alias "Devil", the prime accused among four arrested on Friday, has exposed a two-phase operational plan linking Lucknow, Delhi-NCR, and escape routes to Maharashtra or Hyderabad.

Pakistan-based handler Abu Bakar allegedly assured Saqib of a substantial monetary reward plus operational support if the planned sabotage in Lucknow succeeded, according to officials familiar with the probe. The promise emerged durin...