The Delhi Police’s Special Cell on Friday yet again executed a counter-terror operation, dismantling an alleged Pakistan’s ISI-backed terror module which was planning coordinated attacks across numerous high-profile locations in North India.

Officials said the module, identified as Shahzad Bhatti network, had been aiming to strike a historic temple in Delhi, a busy Dhaba (roadside restaurant) along the Delhi-Sonipat Highway and a military camp in Hisar. After nine operatives of the module were arrested and interrogated, the revelations came to light. 

Authorities added that weapons have also been seized from the possession of the accused, indicating that the planning had reached an advanced stage. 

One accused clicked pictures of temple, sent them to Pakistan handler

Sources suggest that a prominent historic temple located in the National Capital was one of the primary targets of the module. The investigators said that one of the accused conducted a recce of the site, clicked its photographs and sent it to the handlers based in Pakistan. 

The plan hatched by the operatives included firing at the police personnel and paramilitary force jawans deployed at the temple, before launching an attack on its premises. 

Highway Dhaba, military camp also on radar

The probe further unearthed the module’s plans to target a popular roadside eatery on the Delhi-Sonipat Highway, where crowds halt on a daily basis. The accused allegedly intended to carry out a hand grenade attack there to maximise casualties and instill fear. 

Another alarming revelation emerged, as a military camp in Haryana’s Hisar was also on the hit list. One of the operatives conducted surveillance of the site, recorded videos and propagated them to handlers across the border. 

Wider network suspected

Investigators are suspecting that the module was part of a broader network with cross-border links. As per sources, the accused had also planned to target cops stationed at various police stations in Uttar Pradesh (UP), suggesting a wider strategy aimed at destabilising security forces. 

Security beefed up in Delhi

After the module was busted, security has been beefed up across sensitive locations in Delhi and neighbouring regions. Agencies are persevering in efforts to interrogate the arrested operatives to uncover further links and identify other suspects.