Remote-controlled toy car turned bomb: Major terror plot foiled in Delhi

New Delhi: Delhi Police has arrested four “radicalised” men from Maharashtra, Odisha and Bihar who allegedly planned terror activities, carried out reconnaissance of sensitive locations and attempted to recruit others through encrypted online platforms, officials said on Saturday.

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and related materials were seized during the operation. Police said two of the accused were assembling a remote-controlled toy car fitted with an IED to target crowded places.

Coordinated operation, extremist links suspected

The Special Cell apprehended two of the accused from Maharashtra and one each from Odisha and Bihar in a coordinated, intelligence-led operation.

According to officials, the four were influenced by extremist ideology centred around the idea of establishing a Caliphate and were promoting narratives such as "Ghazwa-e-Hind".

"They were also allegedly inspired by the concept of a 'Lashkar from Khurasan' carrying black flags, which they used as part of their propaganda to radicalise others," a senior police officer said.

He added that the accused were active on closed and encrypted social media groups where content related to jihad, extremist ideology and weapons was circulated.

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"One of the accused allegedly shared an edited image of the Red Fort with a black flag to radicalise followers and signal symbolic targets," the officer said.

Recce of key sites, high-value targets identified

Investigators revealed that one of the accused had visited Delhi in December 2025 and conducted reconnaissance of prominent locations, including the Red Fort and India Gate.

The module had also discussed potential strikes on high-value targets such as the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Parliament House and certain military installations.

Security agencies believe the group intended to target crowded public places and symbolic landmarks to maximise panic and psychological impact.

"All four accused, Mosaib Ahmad, Mohammad Hammad, Mohammad Sohail and Sheikh Imran, belong to modest socio-economic backgrounds. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway to identify their associates, handlers and the broader network," the officer said.

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Toy car IED plan, online radicalisation trail

Police said Mosaib Ahmad, who had worked in Gulf countries as an auto electrician, was allegedly using his technical skills to design a remote-controlled car fitted with an IED.

"Preliminary findings suggest the use of a small remote-controlled device points to a plan to execute a stealth attack in crowded areas," the officer said.

Investigators said the accused had begun collecting materials, conducting reconnaissance and coordinating through encrypted communication platforms before they were intercepted.

Officials detailed that Mosaib, originally from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, had worked as a welder, auto mechanic and electrician in India and abroad and was currently employed at a private automobile workshop in Thane. He was part of multiple online groups discussing "Lashkar of Mahdi and jihad" and assisted co-accused Mohammad Hammad by "opening the circuit of a remote-controlled toy car for IED making and sharing its image within a closed group".

Mohammad Hammad, a Mumbai resident pursuing Class 12 through correspondence, had joined a closed group in January 2026 where discussions on jihad and "Ghazwa-e-hind" took place. He allegedly shared images of ball bearings, nails, a remote-controlled toy car and boxes as materials for preparing an IED and handed them over to Mosaib for assembly.

Sheikh Imran, from Bhubaneswar, had worked as a security guard and delivery agent. Police said he developed radical beliefs after following speeches of religious figures and later created a closed group focusing on jihad, khilafat and "Ghazwa-e-Hind". He allegedly discussed targeting "Ram Mandir, Parliament and military installations" and had conducted reconnaissance in Delhi. He also promised members arms and physical training in Odisha and sought funds for the same.

Mohammad Sohail, a plumber from Katihar in Bihar, was allegedly influenced by similar speeches and used social media to incite youth. "He was influenced by the speeches of Israr Ahmed. He created multiple social media accounts and exhorted youth in the name of jihad. In March 2026, he incited followers of his channel to collect weapons and explosives for Ghazwa-e-Hind. He shared his bank account/QR code to collect money in the name of jihad," the officer alleged.

Police said multiple mobile phones and digital devices have been seized and are being analysed to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy and possible links to other modules.