New Delhi: Eight suspects with alleged links to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Agency and Bangladeshi extremist groups have been arrested in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal states, as an intelligence alert warned of a possible terror plot against Delhi’s Red Fort and famous temples.Delhi Police said six of the accused were nabbed from different locations in Tamil Nadu, including Uthukuli, Palladam and Thirumuruganpoondi, while two others were lodged in West Bengal in a follow-up operation, news agency ANI reported. Some of those arrested are suspected to be Bangladeshi nationals. All were brought to Delhi for further interrogation.
Police said the operation was launched after receiving specific intelligence about a module allegedly orchestrating subversive activities across the country. “Dozens of mobile phones and SIM cards have been recovered,” a police source said, adding that digital material was being analyzed to trace the wider network and possible foreign handlers.Investigators believe the group communicated through social media and allegedly posted content supporting Pakistani terror groups. The four accused had earlier allegedly traveled to Delhi to put up “Azad Kashmir” posters at metro stations during an international summit before returning to Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.During the searches, the police recovered only 8 mobile phones and 16 SIM cards from locations in Tamil Nadu. Police said some of the suspects worked in the garment industry and allegedly used fake Aadhaar cards to hide their identities.
Red Fort and temples on alert
The arrests came days after security agencies issued a high alert in the national capital following news that Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) had put important religious sites under its radar. The area around the Red Fort and parts of Chandni Chowk have been identified as sensitive areas.ANI quoted sources as saying that a temple in Chandni Chowk area could be a potential target and the group may be planning an improvised explosive device (IED) attack. The alleged plan is believed to be related to revenge for the February 6 Islamabad mosque bombings.Security measures have since been stepped up at major religious and heritage sites in Delhi. CCTV surveillance has been stepped up, vehicle checks have been increased and bomb squads and canine units have been deployed at strategic locations.This alert follows a deadly car blast near the Red Fort in November 2025, which killed at least 13 people and injured more than 20 others.
