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NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested at least two suspects and detained several others as part of a nationwide counter-terrorism operation targeting a suspected terror module.
The two individuals, arrested in Mumbai, are believed to be part of a highly radicalised Islamic State (IS)-inspired network allegedly planning attacks using remote-controlled toy car bombs, police said.
Authorities recovered what they described as incriminating material, including sensitive documents and chat records, during the searches. Officials also said the suspects were in the process of assembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The raids were carried out in Kurla and nearby Khadavli, leading to the arrest of Mossab Ahmad, also known as Kalam, and Mohammad Hamad. The operation was conducted jointly with the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects were active in online radical groups such as “Mission Khilafat” and “Soldiers of Jihad.”
Investigators have also uncovered alleged links between the accused and Abu Hufeiza, a figure associated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror outfit, who is believed to operate under the guise of an IS recruiter across Telegram and other online platforms.
A senior police officer said: “We received information that some youths in the Kurla, Shivaji
Nagar and Govandi areas were in contact with banned terror outfits. Following legal
procedures, the teams conducted searches at the residences of three people on Saturday and Sunday.
The suspects are currently being interrogated, and their mobile phones and other electronic devices have been seized, a senior officer confirmed.
The investigation has widened, with several other individuals now under scrutiny. Security agencies have also identified four to five minors in Mumbai who are believed to have been influenced by Islamic State propaganda.
As questioning continues, central and state agencies are working jointly to dismantle the suspected network and trace additional links connected to the module. Officials said efforts are focused on identifying handlers and preventing any possible sleeper cell activity across the country.
The operation follows a similar case reported earlier, in which a suspect named Rizwan was arrested by the Special Cell from Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh in a joint operation with the Uttar Pradesh ATS.
Rizwan, who had been associated with an IS-linked module since 2015, was previously arrested the same year and is accused of recruiting individuals in India for the banned organisation. Police said a large volume of incriminating and anti-national material was recovered from him.
He was initially lodged in Arthur Road Jail before being shifted to Tihar Jail in Delhi. Sources further revealed that Rizwan was allegedly part of the same module and had been radicalised during his time in judicial custody.
