A suspected terror plot involving remote-controlled toy car bombs has been uncovered following a multi-agency operation led by the Delhi Police Special Cell, with two arrests made in Mumbai, officials said.
According to a report by The Times of India, the suspects are believed to be part of a highly radicalised group inspired by the banned terror outfit Islamic State and were allegedly planning attacks using improvised explosive devices concealed in toy cars.
The arrests were made during coordinated raids carried out with the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad in Mumbaiâs Kurla and nearby Khadavli areas.
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Raids uncover material, online links under scanner
The two accused, identified as Mossab Ahmad, also known as Kalam, and Mohammad Hamad, were taken into custody following searches at multiple locations. Officials said electronic devices, chats and documents were seized during the operation.
There are suggestions that these people may have been preparing IEDs. There are also initial signs suggesting that they may have participated in online discussions on forums like "Mission Khilafat" and "Soldiers of Jihad."
The security officials are looking into their links with an individual called Abu Hufeiza who has links with organizations like Jaish-e-Mohammed and even pretended to be an Islamic State recruiter on some messenger apps.
A senior police officer, quoted by The Times of India, said the operation was launched on the basis of intelligence reports pointing towards contact among some youth in Mumbai and some banned outfits.
Wider network suspected, minors under watch
According to sources, the investigation has expanded to cover a few more suspects. The authorities have traced four or five minors that may have been exposed to radical propaganda on social media.
The agencies are now looking into the possibility of tracing the handlers and dismantling any larger network associated with the module. They are also investigating sleeper cells and attempting to prevent any attacks.
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The crackdown follows a series of recent operations targeting suspected terror networks across the country. In a related case, a suspect linked to an IS module was earlier arrested from Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh in a joint operation with the UP ATS.
Security agencies remain on alert amid concerns over âasymmetric threatsâ, particularly after recent counter-terror operations targeting cross-border networks.
