Cops bust module linked to LeT, foil plot to strike Delhi; 7 Bangladeshis with Aadhaar IDs among 8 arrested

NEW DELHI: In a multi-state counter-terror operation, the Delhi Police special cell busted a terror module comprising radicalised individuals affiliated with the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Eight suspects, seven of whom are Bangladeshi nationals with Indian Aadhaar cards, have been arrested.A major terror attack was averted with the arrests. A temple in Chandni Chowk was one of the targets with its images being found in the suspects' devices. The car bomb blast reported last Nov had happened near this temple located near the Red Fort.The operation kicked off after a series of provocative posters were pasted at metro stations. The poster incident in Delhi was revealed to be a calculated act of psychological warfare and a test of the module's mobility.

On Feb 8, CISF had filed a complaint with the police that unknown individuals had affixed pro-Pakistan and pro-terror posters at the Janpath and other Metro stations, a major security breach before the AI summit.The posters eulogised slain terrorist Burhan Wani and had slogans like “India stop genocide & Free Kashmir”, while others contained Urdu slogans which, when translated, stated “Hum Pakistani Hain, Pakistan Hamara Hai” (We are Pakistani, Pakistan is ours) and celebrated “Kashmir Solidarity Day".

A case was registered and investigation was transferred to the Special Cell. A team comprising ACP Lalit Mohan Negi, inspectors Sunil Rajain and Dheeraj was formed to trace the digital and physical trail left by the perpetrators.

The initial investigation was conducted by DCP Kushal Pal Singh's team from the Metro Police.By conducting technical analysis of mobile data and transit patterns, the suspects were located in Kolkata.

On Feb 15, the Special Cell identified a hideout in the Majherpara area of Hatiara Gote, Kolkata. In a swift raid, the first two suspects were apprehended: 31-year-old Umar Faruk, a resident of Aswintola in Malda, West Bengal, and 31-year-old Robiul Islam, a Bangladeshi national from the Thakur Gaon district.During interrogation, Faruk revealed a chilling timeline of radicalization and intent besides the location of his aides.On Feb 21, simultaneous raids were conducted in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu and six suspects were nabbed. The arrested individuals were identified as 32-year-old Mohammed Mizanur Rehman from Bogura district, 34-year-old Mohammed Sefayat Hossain from Jhalakathi district, 40-year-old Mohammed Zahidul Islam from Bogura, 40-year-old Mohammed Liton from Bogura, 27-year-old Mohammed Uzzal from Bogura, and 32-year-old Umar from Bogura.

Police seized 10 mobile phones filled with radicalising content, 25 credit and debit cards, 5 POS machines , and original Bangladeshi passports and identity cards that the suspects had attempted to discard or hide.