Delhi Police Special Cell Cracks Down on IS-Inspired Terror Module in Nationwide Operation
In a significant counter-terrorism operation, the Delhi Police's special cell has arrested at least two suspects and detained several others as part of a sweeping pan-India crackdown on a highly radicalized terror module. The arrests, carried out in Mumbai, target individuals allegedly inspired by the Islamic State (IS) and planning to execute attacks using remote-controlled toy car bombs, according to police statements.
Raids in Mumbai Uncover Incriminating Evidence and IED Manufacturing Plans
Law enforcement agencies conducted coordinated raids in the Kurla and Khadavli areas of Mumbai, leading to the apprehension of Mossab Ahmad, also known as Kalam, and Mohammad Hamad. The operation was executed in close collaboration with the Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad (ATS). During the searches, authorities seized incriminating material, including sensitive literature and digital communications, which indicated the suspects were actively involved in manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
A senior police officer detailed the operation, stating, "We received credible intelligence that youths in Kurla, Shivaji Nagar, and Govandi were in contact with banned terror outfits. Following due legal procedures, teams conducted searches at multiple residences over the weekend, interrogated individuals, and confiscated mobile phones and electronic devices for forensic analysis."
Links to Radical Online Groups and Terror Outfits Exposed
Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspects had joined extremist online communities, notably "Mission Khilafat" and "Soldiers of Jihad", which promoted radical ideologies. The probe has further uncovered connections between the arrested individuals and Abu Hufeiza, a figure associated with the terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Hufeiza is known to operate as an Islamic State recruiter on platforms like Telegram, exploiting digital spaces to radicalize and recruit vulnerable individuals.
Security agencies have identified four to five minors in Mumbai who appear to have been influenced by Islamic State propaganda, placing them under surveillance as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the network. The interrogation of the two arrested men continues, with central and state agencies working tirelessly to trace other leads and neutralize any potential sleeper cells across the country.
Broader Context of Recent Counter-Terrorism Operations
This latest operation follows a similar crackdown reported earlier, where a suspect named Rizwan was arrested by the special cell from Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh, in a joint effort with the UP ATS. Rizwan, associated with an IS-linked module since 2015, was allegedly involved in recruiting individuals for the banned outfit. A substantial amount of anti-national content was seized from him, and he was previously lodged in Arthur Road Jail before being transferred to Tihar Jail in Delhi. Sources indicate that Rizwan was part of the same module and had been radicalized during his judicial custody.
The operation also occurs against the backdrop of recent successes, such as the busting of a Bangladesh-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) module headed by Shabbir Ahmed Lone. Following Operation Sindoor in May 2025, which dismantled cross-border terror infrastructure, law enforcement agencies have maintained a state of high alert to counter asymmetric threats. This vigilance intensified after last year's Red Fort car bomb blast, where a high-intensity IED triggered by suicide bomber Umar-Un-Nabi resulted in 13 fatalities in the capital, prompting a comprehensive security overhaul.
Efforts are now concentrated on identifying the handlers behind this module and preventing any potential terrorist activities, underscoring the ongoing challenges in combating homegrown extremism and ensuring national security.
