In a major breakthrough for security agencies, the Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested Shabir Ahmed Lone, a suspected handler of the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, from the Ghazipur area of the national capital. Lone is believed to be a key figure behind the recently exposed metro poster case, which raised serious security concerns in Delhi and other cities.
Delhi Police arrested Shabir Ahmed Lone, who is accused of operating as a handler for a terror module involved in putting up anti-national posters across multiple locations, including metro areas in Delhi and Kolkata.
The arrest was made in Ghazipur, East Delhi, following intelligence inputs and surveillance by the Special Cell.
Lone was arrested on March 29, 2026, and produced in court the next day, where he was sent to police custody for further interrogation.
Who (Who is involved?)
Shabir Ahmed Lone – Prime Suspect & Handler
Delhi Police Special Cell
Lashkar-e-Taiba
Officials described Lone as a “hardcore and highly trained terrorist” with links to handlers operating from across the border.
The metro poster case was not just a propaganda attempt—it was reportedly a test operation to assess reach, coordination, and response time of authorities.
Investigators believe the module was also involved in:
- Identifying potential targets
- Conducting reconnaissance of crowded places
- Attempting to expand terror networks inside India
This makes the arrest crucial for preventing larger threats.
Delhi Police Special Cell tracked Lone through intelligence inputs related to the earlier arrests in the same case. He was found to be the handler coordinating the network, which included several individuals, some of whom were already arrested earlier.
During the arrest, police recovered:
- Foreign currencies (Bangladeshi, Nepali, Pakistani)
- Indian cash
- A Nepal-based SIM card
These findings suggest cross-border links and communication channels
The investigation began after authorities uncovered a terror module involved in putting up pro-Pakistan and anti-India posters in metro and public areas. Several suspects, including foreign nationals, had already been arrested before Lone’s capture.
Lone is believed to have operated from Bangladesh earlier and used Kolkata as a base to expand activities across India.
Sources: ANI, The Mint, The Economic Times