'Nabbed JeM militants were planning to kill VIPs in Delhi'

According to sources in the intelligence agency, the two suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists arrested by the Delhi Police on Monday were planning to target VIPs in the national capital. Sources said that joint search operations are being conducted in Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir, as it is believed that more number of terrorists linked with them are hiding in both cities.

New Delhi: The two suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists nabbed by Delhi Police Monday night had planned to target VIPs in the national capital, said sources in the intelligence agency.

"After the arrest of two men, intelligence agencies and special cell are jointly conducting search operations in Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir. It is believed that more number of terrorists linked with them are hiding in both cities," sources said on condition of anonymity.

The two suspected terrorists have been identified as Abdul Latif Mir (22), a resident of Doru village in J&K's Baramulla district and Mohd. Ashraf Khatana (20), a resident of Hat Mulla village of Kupwara district.

Officials from the intelligence agencies and special cell are now questioning the suspected terrorists about their plans and their targets in the national capital.

The suspected terrorists Abdul Latif and Mohd Ashraf were arrested near Sarai Kale Khan at around 10 pm on Monday along with 2 semi-automatic pistols and 10 live cartridges, said Delhi Police.

Sources said that earlier both of the suspected terrorists had attempted to go to Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK), but it was foiled amid heavy deployment of the Indian Army across the border.

"After the terror attack in Delhi, they had planned to escape to PoK via Nepal," sources added.

Notably, In August, a suspect ISIS terrorist, identified as Mustakeem Khan, was arrested in Delhi and he had been plotting a "lone wolf attack".

The intelligence agency report in July end had revealed that many VIPs are in target of ISIS terrorists after which the security establishments were alerted to keep a check on the activities mainly in Ayodhya, Delhi and Kashmir.