New Delhi

In a major counter-terrorism operation, the Delhi Police Special Cell has reportedly dismantled an alleged terror network with suspected links to Pakistan's intelligence agency and the Dawood Ibrahim syndicate, arresting nine individuals accused of planning attacks in the national capital.

According to sources, the group was allegedly preparing to target strategic installations, security personnel, and prominent religious sites in Delhi. Authorities recovered a large quantity of weapons, explosive substances, and hand grenades during the operation.

Investigators believe the network had been developed over an extended period and was intended to carry out coordinated attacks in the city. Preliminary findings suggest that the arrested suspects may have maintained connections with handlers operating from Pakistan as well as members of the Mumbai-based underworld network associated with fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim.

Sources indicated that some of those detained are of Nepali origin and were allegedly involved in various aspects of the conspiracy.

The seizure of firearms, grenades, and sophisticated explosive materials is being viewed as a significant success for security agencies, which believe the operation helped avert a potential threat to public safety.

The Special Cell has launched an extensive investigation to trace the group's funding mechanisms, recruitment activities, and logistical support system. Officials are also examining the role of overseas handlers and local collaborators suspected of facilitating the alleged plot.

The development comes a month after Indian authorities secured the extradition of Mohammad Salim Dola, a key associate of Dawood Ibrahim, from Turkey. Dola, who had been evading arrest since 2020, was detained in Istanbul and subsequently deported to India.

Upon his arrival in Delhi, he was produced before a court, which granted transit remand to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for his transfer to Mumbai in connection with a narcotics trafficking case registered in 2023.

Investigators believe Dola played an important role in managing international drug trafficking operations linked to the D-Company network. His interrogation is expected to provide valuable information regarding transnational smuggling routes, hawala-based financial channels, and criminal networks operating across India and abroad.

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Further investigation into the alleged terror module and its wider connections remains underway.