New Delhi: On Thursday, Delhi Police officials informed about two suspected Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) members have been arrested on charges of planning to carry out terror strikes in the national capital during Republic Day celebrations. They were identified as Abdul Latif Ganaie (29), alias Umair alias Dilawar, and Hilal Ahmad Bhat (26) residents of Jammu and Kashmir's Wakura and Batapora areas respectively.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) P S Kushwah said that, Dilawar was arrested on the intervening night of January 20-21 after police got a tip-off from military intelligence that a house in Laxmi Nagar was frequented by suspicious persons, Police learnt that Dilawar would come near Rajghat to meet someone and accordingly a team was deployed there. Subsequently, he was arrested with incriminating material.

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While a 32 bore pistol and 26 live cartridges were recovered from him. Three rubber stamps of JeM commanders and other material was also recovered from his possession. the DCP said that It took the Delhi Police a few months to identify Dilawar. However, A team was rushed to Jammu and Kashmir to nab his other associates. Two hand grenades were recovered from his house there

Dilawar told police that he was in touch with his Pakistan-based handler Abu Mauz through Telegram and WhatsApp, he said. Dilawar was asked to use those grenades on the armed and police forces in Jammu and Kashmir and in parts of Delhi to disrupt Republic Day celebrations. Dilawar was previously arrested in two cases of stone pelting in 2016 in the area of Sadar Ganderbal police station.

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