Eight Suspects with Alleged ISI and Bangladesh Extremist Links Arrested in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal
In a significant counter-terrorism operation, eight suspects with alleged connections to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Bangladesh-based extremist groups have been apprehended in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. This development follows specific intelligence alerts warning of a possible terror plot targeting Delhi's iconic Red Fort and several prominent temples in the national capital.
Coordinated Arrests Across Two States
According to Delhi Police officials, six of the accused individuals were detained from various locations in Tamil Nadu, including Uthukuli, Palladam, and Thirumuruganpoondi. Two additional suspects were captured in West Bengal during follow-up investigative actions. News agency ANI reported that some of those arrested are suspected to be Bangladeshi nationals. All eight individuals are currently being transported to Delhi for comprehensive interrogation by specialized units.
The police operation was initiated based on specific intelligence inputs regarding a module allegedly planning subversive activities across multiple regions of India. "Dozens of mobile phones and SIM cards have been recovered from the suspects," revealed a police source familiar with the investigation. The digital material is undergoing thorough forensic analysis to trace the wider network and identify possible foreign handlers directing the alleged operations.
Social Media Connections and Previous Activities
Investigators have uncovered evidence suggesting the group maintained communication through various social media platforms and had allegedly posted content supportive of Pakistan-based terror organizations. Four of the accused are reported to have traveled to Delhi earlier, where they pasted "Free Kashmir" posters at a metro station during an international summit before returning to their bases in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
During extensive searches conducted at multiple locations, officers recovered eight mobile phones and sixteen SIM cards from the Tamil Nadu sites alone. Police sources indicated that some of the suspects were working in the garment industry while allegedly using counterfeit Aadhaar cards to conceal their true identities and nationalities.
Heightened Security Alert for Delhi Landmarks
The arrests occur just days after security agencies issued a high-level alert in the national capital following intelligence suggesting that the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) had identified key religious sites as potential targets. Areas surrounding the Red Fort and sections of Chandni Chowk have been designated as particularly sensitive zones requiring enhanced security measures.
Sources cited by ANI indicated that a temple in the Chandni Chowk area could be a specific potential target and that the group may have been plotting an improvised explosive device (IED) attack. The alleged plan is believed to be connected to attempts to avenge a February 6 mosque explosion in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Comprehensive Security Enhancements Implemented
Security has been substantially tightened across major religious and heritage sites throughout Delhi following these developments. Authorities have intensified CCTV surveillance systems, increased vehicle checkpoints, and deployed bomb disposal squads along with specialized canine units at strategic locations throughout the capital region.
This heightened alert follows the deadly car explosion near the Red Fort in November 2025 that resulted in at least thirteen fatalities and more than twenty injuries. The current security measures represent a proactive response to prevent similar incidents and protect vulnerable locations from potential terrorist activities.
The ongoing investigation continues to examine the full scope of the alleged terror network, with authorities working to determine the extent of foreign involvement and identify any additional individuals who may be connected to the suspected plot. The arrests underscore the persistent security challenges facing India and the coordinated efforts between state and national agencies to address potential threats before they materialize.
