Indian security agencies have successfully thwarted a significant terrorist attack orchestrated jointly by Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and a Bangladesh-based militant group. Operations conducted across Tamil Nadu and West Bengal led to the arrest of at least eight individuals, including one Bangladeshi national. This development was reported on Sunday, 22 February, by NDTV.
According to police sources, six suspects were apprehended from a garment manufacturing unit in Tirupur district, Tamil Nadu. Their names are Mizanur Rahman, Mohammad Shabat, Umar, Mohammad Liton, Mohammad Shahid, and Mohammad Ujjal. Two additional individuals were arrested from West Bengal, one of whom holds Bangladeshi citizenship.
Security officials revealed that the arrested individuals had been producing fraudulent identity cards using fake Aadhaar credentials. Investigators recovered a total of eight mobile phones and sixteen SIM cards, which were allegedly used to coordinate the planned attack and maintain communications.
Following the arrests, the Tamil Nadu police handed over the suspects to the Delhi Police for further interrogation. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities working to identify additional networks and cells potentially linked to the plot.
Intelligence sources indicate that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba was targeting major religious and public sites in India’s capital, including the Red Fort and a prominent temple in Chandni Chowk. The group was reportedly preparing explosives for the planned assault. The timely intervention by security forces prevented a potential large-scale tragedy in heavily frequented religious and cultural sites.
The following table summarises the suspects and their details:
| Name | Arrested | Location | Nationality | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mizanur Rahman | Yes | Tirupur, Tamil Nadu | Indian | Arrested from garment unit |
| Mohammad Shabat | Yes | Tirupur, Tamil Nadu | Indian | Used fake Aadhaar card |
| Umar | Yes | Tirupur, Tamil Nadu | Indian | Mobile phones & SIMs recovered |
| Mohammad Liton | Yes | Tirupur, Tamil Nadu | Indian | — |
| Mohammad Shahid | Yes | Tirupur, Tamil Nadu | Indian | — |
| Mohammad Ujjal | Yes | Tirupur, Tamil Nadu | Indian | — |
| Unknown Individual 1 | Yes | West Bengal | Unknown | — |
| Unknown Individual 2 | Yes | West Bengal | Bangladeshi | — |
Indian authorities are maintaining heightened vigilance across the country, particularly around critical religious and public sites, to prevent similar plots. The successful disruption of this conspiracy demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated intelligence and law enforcement efforts in safeguarding national security.