Indian security agencies have announced the disruption of a major terrorist plot, with eight suspected operatives arrested in a wide-ranging operation. The detainees are alleged to have links with the Pakistan-based militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba, and officials confirmed that seven of those held are Bangladeshi nationals.
The arrests followed an extensive intelligence-led investigation conducted over approximately two months. Coordinated raids were carried out in several regions, including areas along the Bangladesh border, as well as in Kolkata, Delhi, and the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Authorities stated that the operation was aimed at dismantling an organised militant network believed to be preparing a large-scale attack within India.
Investigators have identified Shabbir Ahmed Lone as the alleged leader of the group. According to police sources, he had previously taken refuge in Bangladesh and was coordinating activities from there. It is believed that he later re-entered India through the Nepal border before being apprehended near the Bangladesh frontier. Some reports suggest he had also operated from a hideout near Dhaka during the planning phase.
Officials noted that Lone had a prior history of militant involvement. He was arrested in 2007 in Srinagar with an assault rifle and grenades in his possession. He remained in detention at Tihar Prison in Delhi until 2018, when he was released on bail. His alleged return to militant activities has raised renewed concerns among security agencies regarding the monitoring of previously detained suspects.
The seven Bangladeshi nationals detained in the operation have been identified as follows:
| Name | Age | District (Bangladesh) |
|---|---|---|
| Mizanur Rahman | 32 | Bogura |
| Zahidul Islam | 40 | Bogura |
| Mohammad Liton | 40 | Bogura |
| Mohammad Uzzal | 27 | Bogura |
| Umar Faruk | 32 | Bogura |
| Md. Shafayet Hossain | 34 | Jhalokathi |
| Rabiul Islam | 27 | Thakurgaon |
During the অভিযান, law enforcement agencies recovered a number of items, including ten mobile phones, twenty-five debit and credit cards, five point-of-sale machines, Bangladeshi passports, and printed materials. Officials believe these items were used for communication, financial transactions, and logistical support within the network.
Authorities have stated that the group was in an advanced stage of planning a significant attack, though specific targets have not been disclosed. They emphasised that timely intelligence and coordinated enforcement action were instrumental in preventing a potentially serious incident.
The case highlights the persistent challenge of combating cross-border militancy in South Asia. It also underscores the need for closer cooperation, improved surveillance, and effective intelligence-sharing among regional partners to counter networks that exploit porous borders and complex transnational links.