In a major security breakthrough, Abdul Rehman, a teenager from Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, was arrested in Faridabad with two hand grenades. The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Haryana’s Palwal Special Task Force (STF) carried out the joint operation, preventing a potential attack on the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Terror Links and Radicalization
Investigations revealed that Rehman was associated with the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), a faction of ISIS. He had reportedly been radicalized over the past ten months and trained online in handling AK-47 rifles and explosives while running a shop in Milkipur, Uttar Pradesh. Security agencies recovered videos and images of religious sites from his mobile phone, suggesting reconnaissance activity.
Deception and Arrest
Before his arrest, Rehman misled his family by claiming he was attending a religious event in Delhi. Instead, he traveled to Faridabad, where an unknown individual handed him two grenades and instructed him to stay put. Investigators are exploring his links to Pakistan’s ISI and other terror outfits.
Security Concerns and Broader Investigation
Authorities are now tracing his handlers and any accomplices to determine if this was part of a larger terror conspiracy. His confession about targeting the Ram Temple has raised national security concerns.
Previous Threats to the Ram Temple
This is not the first time the Ram Temple has been threatened. In January 2024, individuals were arrested for issuing bomb threats. In 2005, Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists attacked the makeshift Ram temple but were neutralized by security forces.
Heightened Vigilance
This foiled plot underscores the persistent threat to India’s religious sites. Security agencies remain on high alert to prevent future attacks, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance against extremist elements.