Delhi Police Uncover Pakistan-Backed Terror Module: Eight Arrested in Major Operation

Major Terror Plot Foiled by Delhi Police

New Delhi: On Saturday, the Delhi Police announced the dismantling of a terror module allegedly supported by Pakistan's ISI, resulting in the arrest of eight suspects, including a national from Nepal. These individuals were reportedly plotting attacks on critical infrastructure, security forces, and police in Delhi and other major cities.

The arrests were part of a coordinated operation across multiple states, revealing a conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by the ISI, underworld figures, and gangster-turned-handler Shahzad Bhatti, targeting locations in Delhi, Mumbai, Punjab, and Chandigarh.

In Mumbai, the intended targets included railway stations, parks, and bridges, according to police reports.

Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Anil Shukla stated at a press briefing that authorities recovered four hand grenades made in Pakistan, two Glock pistols, 24 live cartridges, a stolen motorcycle, and a scooter from the suspects.

The arrested individuals include Vijay alias Shooter (23) from Uttar Pradesh, Nitish Paswan (23) from Jharkhand, Taoqeer Rizwan Ahmad Shaikh (27) and Sajid Mehboob Shaikh alias Arbaz Khan (27) from Maharashtra, Harvinder Singh (28), Gagandeep Singh (28), and Manjeet Singh (23) from Punjab, along with Nepali national Anag Kami Lama (66).

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) at the Special Cell police station.

The operation was initiated based on intelligence suggesting that operatives linked to handlers in Pakistan and underworld networks were planning attacks on strategic targets and security personnel in various cities.

The first arrest was made on May 14, when Vijay alias Shooter was apprehended in Pune, followed by his associate Nitish Paswan on May 17 in Sahibganj, Jharkhand.

Authorities indicated that Vijay was in contact with members of Bhatti's network operating from Pakistan and Dubai, tasked with recruiting young individuals for terror activities across Delhi-NCR and northern states, with promises of substantial financial rewards post-attack.

Interrogation of the initial suspects and subsequent technical analysis led investigators to Mumbai, where Taoqeer and Sajid were arrested on May 27.

Officials reported that these two were allegedly operating under the guidance of Pakistan-based handlers Yawar Khan and Munna Jhingada, recruited through an absconding operative named Huzaifa.

They were instructed to execute grenade attacks and shootings targeting vital installations, security establishments, and police personnel in both Delhi and Mumbai, as stated by a police officer.

Further questioning revealed that the same handlers had directed another module from Punjab to carry out similar attacks in the national capital.

Acting on this intelligence, Special Cell teams intercepted Harvinder Singh, Gagandeep Singh, and Manjeet Singh on Mehrauli-Badarpur Road around 1 am on Friday, seizing a cache of arms and ammunition.

Technical analysis and questioning of the Punjab-based suspects led investigators to Lama, who was allegedly responsible for arranging safe houses in Delhi and managing finances for the network under the direction of underworld operative Munna Jhingada.

Police reported that mobile phones seized from the suspects contained incriminating communications with handlers based in Pakistan.

Investigators alleged that the module was being directed by Jhingada, a known associate of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, along with Bhatti and other operatives linked to the ISI.

According to police, Jhingada had previously executed an attack on gangster Chhota Rajan in Bangkok in 2000 at Dawood Ibrahim's command and spent 17 years in a Thai prison.

The investigation also revealed that Lama had been imprisoned in Thailand from 2001 to 2018 for a narcotics case, where he allegedly connected with Pakistani nationals, including Jhingada.

Authorities noted that he maintained contact with the underworld operative after his release.

Officials indicated that the interrogation of the suspects has uncovered potential involvement of additional operatives, including some based in Nepal, and efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend them.

Several more individuals have been detained in connection with this case.