8 arrested in alleged terror conspiracy with ISI, Bangladesh links; targets in Delhi under probe: Report

Six of the accused, identified as Mizanur Rahman, Mohammed Shabat, Umar, Mohammed Litan, Mohammed Shahid, and Mohammed Ujjal, were picked up from garment manufacturing units in Tiruppur, a major textile hub.

Two others were arrested from West Bengal. Officials said a Bangladeshi national is among those detained.

Investigators allege the suspects were operating with forged Aadhaar cards for identification. Police recovered eight mobile phones and 16 SIM cards during searches.

The arrests were carried out by the Tamil Nadu Police, and the suspects are being handed over to the Delhi Police for further questioning.

Security agencies believe the module had links to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence and Bangladesh-based terror outfits.

The arrests come a day after sources said Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba was allegedly planning a blast near Red Fort and other prominent religious locations, including a temple in Chandni Chowk. Officials suspect the use of an improvised explosive device (IED), NDTV reported.

The alleged plot is also being examined in the context of the February 6 suicide bombing at a mosque in Islamabad, which killed 31 people and injured over 160.

While Lashkar-e-Taiba is believed to have sought retaliation, the attack was claimed by the Islamic State, NDTV's source noted.

Authorities say the latest action has potentially foiled attacks nearly three months after a deadly car explosion near the Red Fort on November 10, 2025, in which 12 people were killed and nearly two dozen were injured.

The blast occurred near the Red Fort Metro Station after a car laden with explosives went off, triggering fires in nearby vehicles.

According to investigators, Umar Mohammad, also known as Umar Un Nabi, a doctor at Al-Falah University, was driving the vehicle that exploded.

The incident occurred on a day when 2,900 kg of explosives, including ammonium nitrate, were recovered about 50 km from the capital in Faridabad.

According to reports, Umar Mohammad allegedly panicked and triggered the blast after investigators arrested two key members of the module—Dr Muzammil Shakeel and Dr Adil Rather—and seized the explosives.

Officials said investigations are ongoing to trace the wider network, funding channels and possible cross-border handlers linked to the alleged conspiracy.