Delhi police foil new terror plot

NEW DELHI, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- New Delhi police have captured two suspected Islamist terrorists believed to have been planning a Republic Day attack.

As the Indian capital lay under a high security blanket in the run-up to Republic Day, two Bangladeshi terrorists owing allegiance to an offshoot of the Jaish-e-Mohammad guerrilla organization were captured in East Delhi with a sizable amount of ammunition possibly meant to spread terror, The Times of India reported Thursday.

The two men were captured near Shastri Park after the special cell of Delhi Police laid a trap. The accused reportedly told the police that the explosives were brought in from Bangladesh, The Times of India said.

The terrorists -- identified as Mohd Saidul and Sohed ul -- are Bangladeshi nationals and members of Harkat-ul-Jehad Islam (HUJI), an offshoot of Jaish-e-Mohammed active in Bangladesh, the newspaper said. Around three pounds of explosives, four detonators and two hand grenades were seized from them. police said.

They were directed by their handler, Anwar Bhai, to deliver the consignment from Bangladesh. It was to be handed over to one Saeed Bhai," Ajay Kumar, deputy commissioner of police (special cell), said.

The arrests were made after the special cell received inputs that Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence agency and Pakistan-based militant organizations were using Bangladesh as a transit point for pushing militants into India, with the intention of planning attacks on key installations.

These militants were being aided by Bangladeshi nationals settled in the city, who were providing them hideouts and also acting as couriers for explosives and hawala money, the newspaper said.