Special Cell, the anti-terrorist unit of Delhi Police, has unmasked an alleged terror conspiracy orchestrated by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) through a module linked to Pakistan-based gangster and ISI proxy Shahzad Bhatti. The module reportedly planned coordinated attacks on a historic temple in Delhi, a crowded dhaba on the Delhi-Sonipat highway and a military camp in Hisar, Haryana, sources said on Friday.
The revelations emerged during the sustained interrogation of nine operatives of the Shahzad Bhatti module, who were intercepted by the Delhi Police Special Cell under its ‘Gang Bust Operation 2.0’ from multiple States on Thursday. The arrests were carried out in coordination with central agencies, and weapons were reportedly recovered from the terror module members during the operation, sources added.
According to sources, one of the arrested operatives had conducted reconnaissance of a historic temple in Delhi. He allegedly photographed the premises and shared the images with Pakistan-based handlers via social media platforms. The plan was to target police personnel and paramilitary forces deployed at the temple by opening fire, aiming to create panic and widespread disruption among devotees and security forces.
Investigations revealed that the module was tasked with executing a grenade attack on a popular dhaba located on the Delhi-Sonipat highway. This eatery, frequented by thousands of people daily, was chosen with the explicit intention of causing large-scale casualties and damage. The dhaba, situated in the Murthal area known for its bustling highway restaurants, serves as a major stop for travellers between Delhi and northern States.
Additionally, a military camp in Hisar, Haryana, was surveyed by the accused, who shared videos of the area with their handlers across the border.
Some police stations in Uttar Pradesh were also included in the target list, indicating a broader design to strike at soft and strategic targets in the National Capital Region and surrounding areas.
The Delhi Police described the operation as a major success in dismantling a cross-border network that was actively recruiting and radicalising individuals through social media for acts of terror and targeted violence in India. This latest bust comes weeks after the Special Cell arrested two other operatives linked to the same Shahzad Bhatti module in April, highlighting the sustained efforts to neutralise ISI-backed threats.
Officials have emphasised that timely intelligence and swift action under ‘Gang Bust Operation 2.0’ prevented what could have been a major security incident. Further investigations are underway to trace the full extent of the network, including possible links to other modules and handlers in Pakistan.
Security agencies and state police forces across the country are battling the challenges posed by cross-border terrorism. Constant vigilance is required to safeguard public places, religious sites and strategic installations in the country, a police official said.