Delhi Police Special Cell Arrests Two ISIS Operatives, Averting a Major Diwali Mall Attack

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An ISIS plot to attack a South Delhi mall on Diwali was derailed by the Delhi Police Special Cell. Two operatives have been arrested so far. The terrorists, both named Adnan, were in contact with a foreign handler near the Syria-Turkey border. They had also planned to attack a public park along with the mall.

Authorities have recovered a laptop, incriminating videos, ISIS propaganda, and components for an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) from them. The arrests prevented a possible terror attack during the busy festive season.

Two ISIS Operatives Arrested with IED Components

The Delhi Police Special Cell successfully arrested two suspected ISIS operatives, who were reportedly planning a terror strike in a high-footfall area of the national capital. They specifically planned to target a mall in South Delhi and a public park during the festival of Diwali. 

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The arrests, one from Sadiq Nagar and the other from Bhopal, successfully prevented a potential terror attack in Delhi, which could otherwise have caused several deaths and serious injuries to hundreds of people.

Authorities have managed to seize some important evidence, including a video showing the attacker's vow of allegiance to ISIS and photos of the intended blast sites. Apart from this, they also found an electronic wristwatch that was meant to serve as a timer for an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Photos of locations for obtaining bomb-making materials were also confiscated.

Foreign Handler Link and Target Recce in South Delhi

One of the police officials said, “The preliminary investigation shows they were preparing for a major attack. Their plans were at an advanced stage”. Both suspects were in communication with a foreign handler. 

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The handler is believed to be operating near the Syria-Turkey border. The terrorists surveyed multiple crowded places, including a prominent mall in South Delhi, as part of their preparation for the planned attack.

The incriminating material seized from the terrorist indicates their deep-rooted association with the ISIS ideology. The investigation is still underway at places linked to the arrested terrorists. The authorities are interrogating the suspects to determine the full extent of their network and elaborate plans.