Suspect allegedly ran sleeper cell module spreading anti-India propaganda
The Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested a suspected operative of Lashkar-e-Taiba from the Delhi border, officials said.
The accused has been identified as Shabir Ahmed Lone, a Kashmiri terror suspect involved in running a sleeper cell network and coordinating anti-India propaganda activities.
According to investigators, Lone was working covertly as part of a module that pasted objectionable and anti-India posters across public locations in the national capital to incite unrest and influence public sentiment.
Officials believe the network was developed under the direction of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s intelligence agency.
Metro poster case triggered probe
The arrest follows a complaint filed by the Central Industrial Security Force on February 8, 2026, after inflammatory posters carrying anti-India messages were discovered at Supreme Court Metro Station.
Investigators later found similar posters at multiple locations, including Janpath in central Delhi, raising major security concerns.
Following the complaint, a case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, after which the Special Cell launched an extensive investigation combining technical surveillance and ground intelligence.
LeT module spread across multiple states
During the investigation, officials uncovered what they described as a well-organised Lashkar-e-Taiba module operating across several Indian states.
Acting on leads, the Special Cell conducted raids in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu in February, arresting multiple suspects. Several of those detained were Bangladeshi nationals allegedly living in India using forged identities.
Search operations led to the recovery of mobile phones, fake identity documents, bank cards and pro-Pakistan posters.
Officials also found videos showing reconnaissance of sensitive locations in Delhi, including the Red Fort and several religious sites.
Lone allegedly masterminded network
According to officials, Shabir Ahmed Lone was operating from abroad and served as the main handler for the sleeper cell module.
Investigators allege that he was responsible for radicalising recruits, coordinating the poster campaign and directing reconnaissance of potential targets.
Authorities believe Lone played a key role in expanding the network by recruiting individuals, particularly illegal migrants, and assigning them tasks ranging from propaganda distribution to surveillance and possible terror planning.
Previous terror links
Police sources said Lone has a history of involvement in terror-related activities. He was earlier arrested in 2007 in a case related to weapons and explosives.
However, after his release, he allegedly managed to escape and relocate abroad, where investigators say he continued maintaining links with senior operatives of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Security agencies suspect that the current module was operating with logistical and strategic support from Pakistan’s intelligence network.
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