Delhi Police busts IS-inspired terror module: 2 Jaish terrorists linked to ‘Mission Khilafat’, ‘Soldiers of Jihad’ planned toy car bomb attacks

In a major counter-terror operation, Delhi Police Special Cell has apprehended two key suspects and detained several others during a coordinated pan-India crackdown on an alleged terror network. The arrests were made in Mumbai, where officials say the accused were part of a deeply radicalised module inspired by the Islamic State (IS), reports TOI's Raj Shekhar Jha.

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According to investigators, the group was allegedly plotting attacks using remote-controlled toy car bombs. During searches, authorities recovered “incriminating material”, including sensitive documents and digital conversations, suggesting that the suspects were actively working on improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Mission Khilafat, soldiers of Jihad

The raids were carried out in Kurla and nearby Khadavli, leading to the arrest of Mossab Ahmad, alias Kalam, and Mohammad Hamad. The operation was conducted jointly with the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). Early findings indicate that both men had become part of radical online networks such as “Mission Khilafat” and “Soldiers of Jihad”.

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Investigators have also uncovered alleged links to Abu Hufeiza, believed to be associated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). He is said to have posed as an IS recruiter on platforms like Telegram to lure individuals.

A senior police officer said: “We received information that some youths in the Kurla, Shivaji Nagar and Govandi areas were in contact with banned terror outfits. Following legal procedures, the teams conducted searches at the residences of three people on Saturday and Sunday. They were interrogated, and their mobile phones and electronic devices have been seized,” a senior officer said.

The probe has widened, with several more individuals under scrutiny. Security agencies have also flagged four to five minors in Mumbai who appear to have been influenced by IS propaganda online.



Officials said efforts are underway to map the full network, identify handlers, and prevent any potential sleeper cell operations. Central and state agencies are coordinating closely to track down further leads linked to this module.

This crackdown follows another recent operation by the Special Cell in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, where a suspect named Rizwan was arrested with the help of the UP ATS. Police say Rizwan had links to an IS-affiliated module dating back to 2015 and was allegedly involved in recruiting individuals. A significant amount of anti-national material was seized from him.

Rizwan had earlier been lodged in Arthur Road Jail before being shifted to Tihar Jail in Delhi. Sources suggest he was connected to the same network and may have been further radicalised during his time in custody.

The latest action also comes amid heightened security concerns following multiple recent threats. Authorities had earlier dismantled a Bangladesh-based module linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, led by Shabbir Ahmed Lone. After Operation Sindoor in May 2025 targeted cross-border terror infrastructure, agencies have remained on high alert to counter possible retaliatory attacks.

This intensified vigilance follows last year’s deadly Red Fort car bomb blast, in which a suicide attacker detonated a high-intensity IED, killing 13 people in the national capital.

(With TOI inputs)