New Delhi, May 30: In a major counter-terrorism breakthrough, the Delhi Police Special Cell has busted an alleged Pakistan-backed terror module and arrested eight suspected terrorists who were allegedly plotting coordinated attacks on strategic installations, security personnel and religious sites across Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities.
According to investigators, the terror network was being operated at the behest of Pakistan’s intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) with active links to elements of the Mumbai underworld. Security agencies believe the module was preparing targeted attacks aimed at creating panic, disrupting public order and striking high-value locations across multiple cities.
Special Cell officials said the investigation began after intelligence inputs indicated that Pakistan-based handlers were attempting to recruit local youth for carrying out attacks in Delhi and Mumbai. During the operation, police arrested eight suspects from different locations and uncovered a wider conspiracy involving underworld operatives and foreign-based handlers.
Officials revealed that the first two suspects were arrested on May 17 and May 19. Their interrogation led investigators to information about separate attack teams allegedly being constituted for operations in Delhi and Mumbai. Further investigation revealed that the handlers directing the module were not only based in Pakistan but also maintained direct links with organised crime syndicates operating from abroad.
Subsequent raids led to the arrest of additional suspects from Mumbai and Punjab. Investigators believe the Delhi attack module had already been assembled and was in an advanced stage of planning before the operation was disrupted.
Police sources identified four Pakistan-based handlers allegedly coordinating the network as Munna Jagda, Yabar Khan, Shehzad Bhatti and Amir Jatt. According to investigators, the handlers were operating from Karachi and maintaining contact with operatives inside India through encrypted communication channels and criminal intermediaries.
One of the key arrests was that of Vijay Don, described by investigators as a notorious shooter, who was apprehended from Pune. Based on information obtained from him, another accused was arrested from Sahibganj in Jharkhand. During questioning, investigators found that both suspects were allegedly in direct contact with Pakistan-based operative Shehzad Bhatti.
Further arrests were made in Mumbai, where police detained Tauqeer and Arbaaz Khan, who were allegedly working under instructions from the network. Additional suspects identified during the investigation reportedly disclosed that preparations for a major terror strike in Delhi had reached an advanced stage.
Security agencies have recovered reconnaissance videos of several important locations in Delhi and Mumbai from the accused. Among the locations allegedly surveyed were major public places, government establishments, railway stations and bridges. Officials said videos of strategic sites in Delhi and Mumbai have been sent for forensic examination.
Investigators have identified underworld figure Munna Jagda as a key coordinator of the conspiracy. According to agencies, Jagda had previously been linked to an attack on gangster Chhota Rajan in Bangkok in 2000. After serving a prison sentence in Thailand, he is believed to have relocated to Pakistan and is currently operating from Karachi.
Police further alleged that Jagda had deployed one of his close associates, identified as Kamil Lama, a Nepalese national, to Delhi to provide logistical and financial support to the terror network.
During the operation, the Special Cell recovered four hand grenades, two Glock pistols and 25 live cartridges allegedly manufactured in Pakistan. Officials said the grenades were safely neutralised by teams of the National Security Guard (NSG).
Investigators suspect that the weapons were smuggled into India using drones operating across the international border. The recovered ammunition is believed to have originated from a Pakistan Ordnance Factory, further strengthening suspicions of cross-border involvement in the conspiracy.
Delhi Police said the module was planning attacks on important government and strategic establishments, security force personnel and religious locations. Officials believe the arrests have prevented a potentially major terror strike and significantly disrupted a network allegedly operating under the direction of Pakistan-based handlers.
The Special Cell is now examining the financial transactions, communication records, digital evidence and wider network associated with the module. Security agencies are also investigating possible links between the accused, organised crime syndicates and foreign-based terror facilitators.
Officials described the operation as one of the most significant anti-terror successes in recent months and said further arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses.
