'Dawood Ibrahim-ISI nexus, tasked with attacking vital locations': 9 suspected terrorists arrested in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The Special Cell of Delhi Police on Saturday said it had busted a terror module linked to the Dawood Ibrahim network and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), arresting nine people allegedly planning attacks in the national capital.

Police said the accused were plotting strikes on “critical installations, security personnel, and religious places” in Delhi.

Arms, hand grenades and explosive materials were recovered from them, officials added.

According to sources, the module had been developed over a long period by Pakistan’s intelligence establishment with the objective of carrying out attacks in the capital.

The arrested individuals reportedly include people of Nepali origin who were part of the network.

Investigators said there were suspected operational links between the accused and Pakistan-backed handlers, as well as operatives associated with the Mumbai underworld network.

Police said the recoveries made during the operation included firearms, explosive materials and multiple hand grenades, which they described as having “effectively neutralised an immediate threat to the capital’s security”.

The Delhi Police Special Cell has launched a detailed investigation into the module’s funding, recruitment and logistics.

Officials are also examining the role of handlers and local facilitators allegedly involved in the conspiracy.

The arrests come days after Delhi Police announced a major overhaul of its counter-terrorism framework in the wake of heightened security concerns following Operation Sindoor.

Earlier this week, police commissioner Satish Golchha ordered the creation of dedicated Counter-Terror Units (CTUs) in every police station across the capital to strengthen grassroots intelligence gathering and identify emerging threats.

The units have been tasked with monitoring vulnerable locations, tracking radicalised individuals, verifying transient populations, and maintaining surveillance on terror-linked suspects, gangsters and hawala operators.

Delhi Police said the move was prompted by intelligence inputs indicating that terror handlers operating from abroad are increasingly using encrypted online platforms, social media and local sleeper networks to recruit, radicalise and guide operatives in India.

(With inputs from ANI)