LeT terror handler Shabir Ahmed Lone, who fled to Bangladesh, arrested by Delhi Police

Delhi Police’s Special Cell has arrested Shabir Ahmed Lone, a suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) handler linked to a recently dismantled terror module associated with the Metro Poster case, marking a significant breakthrough in an ongoing counterterrorism investigation. Officials said Lone, who had previously fled to Bangladesh, was apprehended in the Ghazipur area following coordinated intelligence efforts.

Key Arrest in Metro Poster Terror Module Investigation

Authorities describe Lone as a suspected sleeper cell operative who played a central role in directing a network uncovered earlier this year. On February 23, Delhi Police had arrested eight individuals—seven Bangladeshi nationals and one Indian—believed to be part of the same module. Investigators allege that Lone was instrumental in guiding and radicalising the group, which was under scrutiny for potential attacks in crowded public spaces, including temples.

According to ANI citing officials in the know, Lone had earlier served a prison term for terrorism-related offences before being released on bail in 2019. He subsequently fled to Bangladesh, where he is believed to have rebuilt operational links and established a fresh network targeting India.

Links to Top LeT Commanders and Cross-Border Network

Investigators claim Lone maintained direct contact with senior figures in the proscribed organisation, including Hafeez Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rahman Lakhvi, both identified as masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. His alleged role extended beyond coordination, encompassing recruitment and ideological indoctrination.

Sources indicate that Lone targeted undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants in India, providing them with forged identity documents such as Aadhaar cards and facilitating their integration into the module. The recruits were allegedly equipped with weapons and tasked with reconnaissance of sensitive and high-footfall locations.

Seizures and Operational Footprint Across Regions

Providing details of the arrest, Special Cell official Pramod Singh Kushwaha said, “Under the leadership of Mr. Praveen Tripathi, the newly appointed DCP of the Special Cell's New Delhi Range, a team comprising Inspector Sunil and Inspector Dheeraj Mehlawat apprehended a wanted terrorist named Shabir Ahmed Lone last night in the Ghazipur area. We addressed you last month about a specific module in which eight individuals were apprehended—seven Bangladeshi nationals and one Indian national—with Umar Farooq and Rabiyul Islam serving as the key figures... Subsequently, six individuals—all Bangladeshi nationals—were arrested in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu. Shabir Ahmed Lone served as their handler.”

“We recovered approximately 2,300 units of Bangladeshi Taka (Bangladeshi currency) from him. Additionally, we seized 1,400 units of Nepalese currency, 5,000 units of Pakistani currency, 3,000 units of Indian currency, and a Nepalese SIM card from his possession. Shabir Ahmed Lone was previously arrested by the Special Cell in 2007. At that time, an AK-47 rifle and a hand grenade were recovered from his possession. He was subsequently convicted in that case. He had arrived to carry out targeted killings. He is a highly trained terrorist from Pakistan... He was arrested once again in 2015 at the Parimpora Police Station jurisdiction in Srinagar, Kashmir, where AK-47 weapons were recovered from his possession...”

“After he was released, Shabir Ahmed Lone fled to Bangladesh and began setting up a new operational module; the eight individuals who were recently arrested were apprehended as part of this very module's network. While in Bangladesh, he came into contact with a new set of handlers. These new handlers—whose code names were Abu Huzaifa and Sumama Babar—were operatives affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba. They operate on behalf of Pakistan's ISI, and his task was to resume carrying out terrorist activities within India.”

“They first established a base of operations in Kolkata... Having established this base, they proceeded to put up posters at various locations across Kolkata and Delhi with the intent of conducting a test run to assess the operational capabilities of their team... They also conducted reconnaissance missions at numerous sensitive locations across the country—including various temples and other high-footfall public areas. They even transmitted video footage of these reconnaissance missions back to Pakistan...”

“A commendable initiative undertaken by the Metro Police at the time was that they treated the posters with the utmost seriousness; they successfully identified Umar Farooq as a key figure. Subsequently, the case was transferred to the Special Cell, and the Special Cell team proceeded to arrest eight individuals—seven of whom were Bangladeshi nationals—followed by the recent arrest of Shabir Ahmed Lone.”

“Shabir Ahmed Lone is a hardcore terrorist.... Having established a base in Bangladesh and utilising that route, he had set up a sort of launching pad in Kolkata, from which he intended to operate... He had returned to identify potential new recruits and new locations suitable for his operations, thereby enabling him to resume his nefarious activities...”