ISI’s Bangladesh Plan Exposed After Lashkar Module Busted

February 23, 2026

New Delhi: The busting of a Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked module planning strikes in Delhi and adjoining cities has revealed details about how the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is allegedly preparing future operations in India.

Eight people were arrested from Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Investigators said the module was being handled from multiple locations to avoid exposing any direct Pakistan link. Like the earlier Faridabad module, this one too reportedly had connections to Jammu and Kashmir.

Key Handler Sent to Bangladesh

Investigators identified Shabbir Ahmed Lone from Ganderbal, Kashmir, as a key figure. Lone, who was arrested in 2007 with weapons and released in 2019, was allegedly cultivated by the ISI and later sent to Bangladesh to manage operations.

In the earlier Faridabad case, an Imam was reportedly handling operatives under instructions from a Jaish-e-Mohammed handler based in Afghanistan.

Dry Runs, Propaganda and Election Target

Officials said the module conducted several dry runs and initially focused on propaganda. Posters related to the Kashmir issue were found in Delhi and Kolkata, including at Metro stations on February 10.

The probe suggests the group was planning large-scale attacks in Delhi and Kolkata, targeting temples, bus stands and Metro stations ahead of elections in West Bengal to create disruption and communal tension.

Bangladesh Border in Focus

According to officials, the ISI has set up multiple modules along the India-Bangladesh border. Groups such as Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami and Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh were allegedly involved in supporting operations.

Security experts warn that future terror operations may increasingly be coordinated from Bangladesh to avoid direct links to Islamabad. Bordering regions are expected to remain a major concern as agencies continue to monitor activities closely.