Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 22: The Delhi Police has busted a major terror module with alleged links to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Bangladesh-based extremist organisations, arresting eight suspects from Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in a coordinated operation, officials said on Sunday.
Police suspect that the group was planning a major terrorist strike in India under the direction of foreign handlers.
Six accused — Mizanur Rahman, Mohammad Shabat, Umar, Mohammad Litan, Mohammad Shahid and Mohammed Ujjal — were detained from garment units in Tiruppur district of Tamil Nadu. Two others were arrested from West Bengal, official sources said.
According to investigators, some of the arrested individuals are Bangladeshi nationals who were allegedly using forged Aadhaar cards to conceal their identities.
The arrests came a day after security agencies sounded a high alert across the national capital following intelligence inputs about a possible terror plot by Pakistan-based outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) targeting crowded religious and heritage sites in Delhi.
Sources said specific inputs suggested that a temple in the Chandni Chowk area could be among the potential targets, with terrorists allegedly planning an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in and around sensitive locations, including areas near the Red Fort.
Preliminary findings revealed that the handler of the eight arrested accused is a Kashmir native currently based in Bangladesh.
The Delhi Police Special Cell said the operation followed an investigation into online posts allegedly supporting terror activities. The probe led the team to Tiruppur with assistance from local police. Investigators found that the six individuals were employed in garment factories and were carrying fake Aadhaar cards.
During the raids, police recovered eight mobile phones and 16 SIM cards, which are being examined for digital evidence and possible links to other operatives.
The module first came under the scanner after provocative posters surfaced at more than 10 locations across Delhi, including within the Delhi Metro network. The posters reportedly contained inflammatory content and slogans such as “Free Kashmir”.
A deeper probe into the origin of the posters led investigators to a network operating out of Tamil Nadu, culminating in the arrests.
Officials described the operation as a major breakthrough in thwarting a potential terror conspiracy. Further investigations are underway to identify additional suspects, funding channels and possible cross-border links.