A terror suspect who allegedly plotted an attack on the Ayodhya Ram Temple has been arrested in a joint operation by multiple agencies. Two hand grenades were recovered from his possession.
Identified Abdul Rehman, the suspect was arrested on Sunday by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Haryana's Palwal Special Task Force (STF) in Faridabad. He was taken to Gujarat for interrogation and radical material has been recovered from him. Following this, a court has remanded him in custody of the Haryana STF for 10 days.
Who is Abdul Rehman?
Abdul Rehman, 19, from Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh was the owner of a butcher shop in Milkipur. He also drove an auto rickshaw. Reports suggest that this was a front to hide his identity.
Major terror plot against Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir foiled by Gujarat & Haryana ATS. Initial investigations of terrorist Abdul Rehman reveal ISI links.
— Ashok Singhal (@TheAshokSinghal) March 3, 2025
And this has happened in the holy month of Ramadan. Terrifying. pic.twitter.com/07hceLGu5k
The investigators are probing his connections to ISI-backed groups as well as looking into the whereabouts of his handlers. The person who supplied him the grenades is believed to be an ISI handler. He reportedly received training online from Pakistan's Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) agency. They taught him how to use an AK-47 assault rifle and grenades.
It has been revealed that Rehman has held recce at Gate 1 and 2 of Ayodhya temple. Following this he travelled from Faizabad to Faridabad by train five days before his arrest. Rehman left his family saying he was leaving for a religious centre in Delhi. However, he travelled to Faridabad instead.
Rehman has claimed that he is linked to the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) module of the ISIS. This is under investigation.
