New Delhi, 06 July (H.S.): Delhi Police's Special Cell has foiled a major alleged terror plot targeting the national capital by dismantling two modules linked to Pakistan-based terrorist Shahzad Bhatti. One module was allegedly planning a petrol bomb attack on a key government installation or police establishment in Delhi, while the second was involved in trafficking sophisticated firearms smuggled into India via drones from Pakistan. Six accused from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab have been arrested.
Police recovered three petrol bombs, three sophisticated pistols, five live cartridges, two cars, a stolen motorcycle, mobile phones and digital evidence, including chats with Pakistan-based handlers.
Addressing a press conference at the Police Headquarters on Monday, Special Cell Additional Commissioner of Police Pramod Kushwaha said the operation was carried out by the Northern Range (NDR) unit of the Special Cell. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police Praveen Tripathi, with teams led by ACP Vivek Kumar Tyagi, Inspector Sunil Rajain and Inspector Dheeraj. Separate FIRs have been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.
According to the investigation, the first module was allegedly operating under the directions of Rana Hunain, an operative linked to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and a close associate of Shahzad Bhatti. Police said the group had been tasked with conducting reconnaissance of a sensitive government or police installation in Delhi before carrying out a petrol bomb attack.
The Special Cell arrested two accused from the Vijay Ghat area. Police recovered three petrol bombs, Rs 2,000 in cash, a stolen motorcycle and mobile phones containing chats, photographs and videos exchanged with Pakistan-based handlers. The accused have been identified as 24-year-old Danish alias Chand Miyan, a resident of Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, and his 20-year-old associate Salman.
During interrogation, Danish allegedly disclosed that he came into contact with Rana Hunain through social media in April 2026. He was allegedly instructed to travel to Delhi, survey sensitive locations and execute the planned attack. Investigators said he had been promised Rs 20,000 upon completion of the assignment.
Salman, identified as Danish's friend, was allegedly assigned the task of recording the attack on video and was also promised Rs 20,000 for his role.
The investigation further revealed that the second module was engaged in smuggling weapons dropped by drones across the India-Pakistan border in Punjab. Police said the network was allegedly operated by ISI-linked handler Hasan Gujjar, another close associate of Shahzad Bhatti.
According to investigators, sophisticated firearms were transported into India by drones and dropped along the Punjab border before being distributed to contacts in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Police alleged that the proceeds from the illegal arms trade were intended to finance terrorist and criminal activities within India.
The Special Cell arrested three accused from the Kalindi Kunj area and recovered three sophisticated pistols, five live cartridges and two vehicles. A fourth accused, Malkit Singh, was later arrested from Amritsar in Punjab.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Tayyab of Shaheen Bagh in Delhi, Zubair Khan of Modinagar in Ghaziabad, Ali Fazal of Lisari Gate in Meerut, and Malkit Singh of Kohala village in Amritsar district.
Police said Tayyab allegedly established contact with Hasan Gujjar through social media. Acting on the handler's instructions, Zubair Khan allegedly travelled to Amritsar to collect the consignment of weapons from Malkit Singh. The weapons were then allegedly handed over to Ali Fazal for distribution to buyers in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
Investigators said Ali Fazal had previously been booked under the Arms Act in Uttar Pradesh in 2025. Malkit Singh is alleged to have received consignments of weapons dropped by drones from Pakistan and delivered them to members of the network operating inside India.
Police have seized the mobile phones of all the accused. Preliminary examination has revealed chats, photographs, videos and other digital material allegedly exchanged with Pakistan-based handlers. The devices have been sent for forensic examination to identify additional operatives, funding channels and any future terror plans.
The Special Cell said it recovered three petrol bombs, one stolen motorcycle, Rs 2,000 in cash, three sophisticated pistols, five live cartridges, two vehicles—a Hyundai Verna and a Ford EcoSport—and mobile phones containing conversations with Pakistan-based handlers.
Police said the timely operation had successfully prevented a potentially major terrorist attack in Delhi. Investigators are continuing to probe the wider network, its financial links and other individuals associated with the alleged conspiracy.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
