In a major breakthrough, the Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested an alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, Shabir Ahmed Lone, in connection with the metro poster case that triggered a large-scale counter-terror probe in the national capital.
Lone, originally from Jammu and Kashmir and reportedly operating from Bangladesh, is believed to be the handler of a group of highly radicalised operatives. His arrest is seen as a key development in dismantling a network linked to a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist module uncovered earlier this year.
Metro Poster Incident Sparked Investigation
The case came to light on February 8 after a complaint was filed by a CISF official at the Supreme Court Metro Station. Authorities found pro-terror and pro-Pakistan posters at Janpath Metro Station and several other locations in Delhi.
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According to investigators, the posters glorified Jaish-e-Mohammad militant Burhan Wani and carried provocative slogans. These findings pointed towards the involvement of a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist network operating within the country.
Arrests Reveal Wider Network
Following the registration of an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the case was transferred to the Special Cell. Earlier investigations led to the arrest of eight operatives, most of them Bangladeshi nationals allegedly residing in India using forged identities.
Subsequent raids in Kolkata and Tiruppur uncovered a broader network, further confirming links to a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist module.
Mastermind’s Alleged Strategy
Police said one of the accused, Umar Faruk, came in contact with Shabir Ahmed Lone in March 2025 and was allegedly radicalised to lead operations in India. Investigators believe Lone planned to use Bangladeshi nationals with fake Indian identities to carry out terror activities.
Officials also revealed that reconnaissance of key installations was conducted on the instructions of the Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, with video footage shared for planning potential attacks.