A major breakthrough in India’s counter-terror operations has led to the arrest of Shabbir Ahmad Lone, a suspected operative of Lashkar-e-Taiba, near the Delhi border. The arrest was carried out by the Special Cell of Delhi Police in coordination with central intelligence agencies after weeks of surveillance. Officials believe Lone was playing a crucial role in orchestrating terror activities in India while operating remotely from Bangladesh.
According to investigators, Lone, a resident of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, had been managing terror modules under the guidance of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence. His role allegedly included recruiting operatives, many of whom were Bangladeshi nationals or illegal immigrants residing in India, to execute planned attacks. Authorities say this method was used to conceal direct involvement from across the border while continuing to expand terror networks within India.
Security agencies revealed that Lone had established a sophisticated cross-border network linking handlers in Pakistan with operatives in Bangladesh and India. This network was not limited to planning attacks but also involved spreading anti-India propaganda. Recently, agencies had busted a Lashkar-linked module responsible for putting up inflammatory posters in cities like Delhi and Kolkata, signaling coordinated efforts to destabilize public order.
Lone is believed to have undergone extensive terror training, including both basic and advanced modules, at a Lashkar camp in Muzaffarabad. His association with top terror leadership dates back nearly two decades, making him a seasoned operative with deep-rooted connections in the network.
This is not Lone’s first encounter with Indian law enforcement. He was previously arrested in 2007 with a cache of weapons, including an AK-47 rifle and grenades. At that time, agencies had established his links with notorious figures like Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, both associated with major terror activities against India.
After spending over a decade in Tihar Jail, Lone was released on bail in 2018. Officials now believe he re-established connections abroad, particularly in Bangladesh, where he resumed coordinating anti-India operations. His recent arrest is expected to provide crucial intelligence regarding recruitment channels, funding mechanisms, and potential terror targets across the country. Investigative agencies are currently interrogating Lone to uncover the full extent of the network. Authorities are also examining whether sleeper cells linked to him remain active in different parts of India, raising concerns about the scale and reach of the operation.
