The Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested 8 accused involved in planning a terror conspiracy linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, and Bangladeshi terror organisations. (that I)
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police Special Cell has busted a terror unit allegedly linked to handlers of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operating from Bangladesh, arresting eight suspects and preventing what officials described as a major untoward incident.The operation spanned Delhi, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, and unearthed a network accused of pasting anti-national posters, conducting reconnaissance and planning terrorist activities at the behest of ISI and Bangladeshi operatives.
Anti-India posters lead to investigation
The case began on February 7, when anti-national posters were found pasted on pillars at Kashmiri Gate Metro station and nearby locations in Delhi.Pramod Kumar Kushwaha, Additional Commander (Special Cell), said in a press conference: “A team from the Special Cell arrested a unit that was being handled by a LeT operative stationed in Bangladesh.
A major untoward incident has been prevented. On February 7, anti-national posters were pasted on pillars at Kashmir Gate Metro station and some nearby metro stations in Delhi. The CISF noticed this and brought it to the attention of the Delhi Police Metro unit.
The special cell team went to Kolkata.” The suspects, Omar Farooq and a Bangladeshi national, Rubel Islam, were arrested in Kolkata with the help of local police.
Kushwaha said: “With the help of the local police, two people were arrested, one of whom was Omar Farooq, along with a Bangladeshi named Rubel Islam. They were arrested, and they revealed that anti-India posters had been placed in many places in Delhi, and the posters that imitated terrorists were put up by these two people. Later, it was revealed through interrogation and investigation that the direction towards them was by Shabbir Ahmed Lone, from Bangladesh.”
” Police sources said that four of the eight accused had earlier come to Delhi and pasted ‘Free Kashmir’ and other provocative posters at a metro station during the AI Summit before returning to Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
The therapist based in Bangladesh has been identified
Investigations revealed that the unit was allegedly directed by Shabir Ahmad Lone, a resident of Ganderbal in Kashmir, currently based in Bangladesh.“In 2007, Shabir Ahmad Lone was arrested and AK-47 grenades were found in his possession. He had come as a ‘fedayeen’ to kill a senior political leader…
He remained in prison for many years and was released in 2019. After his release, he fled again to Bangladesh. He is a resident of Ganderbal, Kashmir. Preliminary investigations revealed that he reconnected with the Lashkar-e-Taiba leadership and re-established his organization to carry out terrorist activities.”According to police, Lone allegedly regrouped his associates and conducted test runs in multiple cities.“He (Lonnie) regrouped his men and conducted trial tours with these men. He put up posters at various locations. He did so not only in Delhi but also in Kolkata. On February 10, he put up anti-India posters at several metro stations and other locations in Kolkata. He also rented a house in Kolkata…” Kushwaha added.
Raids in Tamil Nadu: Dozens of mobile phones and SIM cards seized
Further investigations led the special cell to Tamil Nadu, where six more suspects, all Bangladeshi nationals, were arrested with the assistance of the Tamil Nadu Police.“The investigation revealed that some individuals who were Bangladeshi nationals were in Tamil Nadu. They were going to take them to Kolkata and plant them in terrorist activity before they could do anything. The team then went to Tamil Nadu and, with the help of the Tamil Nadu Police, arrested six more people, all Bangladeshi nationals,” Kushwaha said.Earlier, police identified six accused from Tamil Nadu, Mizanur Rahman, Muhammad Shabat, Omar, Muhammad Litan, Muhammad Shahid and Muhammad Ujjal, who were arrested and transferred to Delhi.Two were captured from Uthukuli, three from Palalladam and one from Thirumurujapondi. They were working in the garment industry and were allegedly hiding their identities using fake Aadhaar cards.During the raids, the police found dozens of mobile phones and SIM cards. In one phase of the operation alone, eight mobile phones and 16 SIM cards were confiscated.The officials said that the accused were in contact with each other through social media and were spreading content supporting terrorist organizations based in Pakistan.
Investigators also suspect that the group conducted reconnaissance in several cities.
Greater terrorist alert
This campaign comes amid intelligence information warning of a potential terrorist threat in the national capital. Sources said the Lashkar-e-Taiba may have been planning an IED attack and a temple in Chandni Chowk and areas around the Red Fort were likely on the radar.“Explosion alert in front of Red Fort in Delhi. Terrorists may target a temple in Chandni Chowk. Lashkar-e-Taiba is planning an IED attack. They are planning a major terror attack in India in retaliation for the blast at February 6 Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan. Lashkar-e-Taiba could target major temples in the country,” intelligence sources said.The eight accused have been brought to Delhi for further questioning and the investigation is ongoing, police said.
