In a major breakthrough for security agencies, an operative of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), accused of plotting attacks in India, has been arrested near the Delhi border.
The accused, Shabbir Ahmad Lone alias Raja alias Kashmiri, is a resident of Kangan in Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Arrest After Long Surveillance
Lone was arrested by the Special Cell of Delhi Police in coordination with central agencies after remaining under surveillance for his alleged involvement in anti-India terror operations.
Officials said he had been operating from Bangladesh and was actively managing Lashkar’s network targeting India.
Pakistan Link and Bangladesh Base
According to investigators, Lone was working under the direction of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
He allegedly recruited Bangladeshi nationals, including illegal immigrants in India, to execute terror plots while masking Pakistan’s direct involvement.
Officials described his role as part of a larger cross-border terror structure with handlers in Pakistan and operatives based in Bangladesh.
Linked to Recent Terror Module Bust
The arrest comes days after agencies busted a Lashkar-linked module operating across Delhi and parts of South India.
Trained Militant With Old Links
Investigators revealed that Lone is a trained militant who underwent both basic (Daura-e-Aam) and advanced (Daura-e-Khaas) training in Muzaffarabad.
His connections reportedly go back nearly two decades, including links with top Lashkar leadership such as Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.
Earlier Arrest and Jail Term
Lone was first arrested in 2007 by the Special Cell along with a large cache of arms and ammunition, including an AK-47 rifle and grenades.
He remained lodged in Tihar Jail until 2018 before securing bail.
Agencies Probe Wider Network
After his release, Lone allegedly moved to Bangladesh, where he rebuilt Lashkar networks and continued coordinating operations against India.
Security agencies are now interrogating him to uncover:
- Recruitment channels
- Funding routes
- Potential terror targets
Officials believe his arrest could help dismantle a larger network operating across borders.
Major Security Boost
The arrest is being seen as a significant success for Indian security agencies, especially amid rising concerns over cross-border terror activities involving multiple countries.
