Major terror plot foiled in Hyderabad; 2 suspects with ISIS links held

A major terror bid to blast locations in Hyderabad was reportedly foiled by Indian intelligence agencies, after two men, suspected of planning these attacks, were arrested.

The two accused, Siraj Ur Rehman (29) and Syed Sameer (28), are suspected of having clandestine links with an ISIS module in Saudi Arabia.

Planned test explosion

A joint operation by the counter-intelligence cell of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana police first arrested Rehman from Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram after a tip-off.

Rehman then revealed details to the police that led to the arrest of the second suspect, Sameer from Hyderabad, officials said.

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Reportedly, Siraj procured explosive materials in Vizianagaram as part of the plan. The duo was allegedly preparing to test explosives prior to finalising their intended target. The police have recovered explosive materials, including ammonia, sulphur, and aluminium powder, from the suspects' premises.

'Self-radicalised with no affiliations'

When asked if the suspects were linked to any terrorist organization, officials stated: “they are self-radicalised with no known affiliations, although they were intent on executing subversive actions.”

Authorities are in the process of identifying the communication pathways and methods used by the accused to maintain contact with their handler.

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It is understood that they made contact via social media, having been part of like-minded closed online groups.

Call for vigilance

The two arrested men are currently in custody and will be produced before a court soon, the police said.

Officials called for the public to maintain renewed vigilance to protect themselves and the nation from more terror attacks and to foil any before they are implemented.

This comes shortly after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir and the increased tensions with Pakistan. Amid this, the Centre had warned states that there could be an attempt to activate terrorist sleeper cells within the nation.

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Twenty-six people were brutally murdered in broad daylight by Pakistani terrorists in the picturesque tourist spot of Baisaran Valley on April 22, following which India responded with active and precise retaliatory action.

Operation Sindoor

On the intervening night of May 7 and 8, India launched Operation Sindoor to target terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam attack.

The operation escalated bilateral tensions as it led to strikes and counter-strikes between the two nations.

Four days later, the two countries reached an agreement to stop all firing and military action on land, air and sea.