Lashkar operative Shabbir Ahmed Lone arrested near Delhi border after two-month chase

In a major counter-terror operation, Delhi Police have arrested Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Shabbir Ahmed Lone near the Delhi border after a prolonged two-month surveillance effort. The accused, believed to be a key handler of terror modules operating from Bangladesh, was apprehended by the Special Cell in coordination with central agencies.

Officials said Lone, also known by aliases Raja and Kashmiri, had been under close watch for his alleged role in orchestrating terror activities and recruiting operatives across multiple Indian cities, including Delhi, Kolkata and parts of Tamil Nadu. His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in efforts to dismantle cross-border terror networks targeting India.

Investigations have revealed that Lone was allegedly operating from a hideout near Dhaka after fleeing India following his release on bail in 2019 in an earlier terror-related case. Security agencies had flagged his growing influence in radicalisation efforts and his attempts to build a network of operatives, including individuals who allegedly entered India illegally using forged identities.

The case is also linked to recent incidents involving pro-terror graffiti and posters at multiple locations in Delhi, including metro stations, which were part of a broader attempt to spread propaganda and conduct reconnaissance of sensitive sites. Several suspects had earlier been detained in connection with these activities, with Lone identified as the alleged mastermind behind the module.

Authorities are currently interrogating Lone to uncover details about his network, funding channels and possible sleeper cells operating within the country. Security agencies are also expanding their investigation to track other key operatives linked to cross-border terror outfits, as part of an intensified crackdown on such networks.