Post Pulwama Attack, Jaish Marked Targets In Delhi-NCR indiatoday.in

Post deadly Pulwama terror attack on February 14, Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) had carried out a recce of key government installations such as South Block and Central Secretariat in New Delhi. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) charge sheet on JeM case filed in September says the terror group intended to target Delhi-NCR region and carried out an extensive recce of areas like Delhi’s Civil Lines, BK Dutt Colony, Kashmere Gate, Lodhi Estate, Mandi House, Daryaganj as well as Ghaziabad.

The NIA investigation revealed a new modus operandi of Pakistan-based terror operatives by use of “virtual numbers” to hide their identities as photo IDs were made mandatory in India for SIM cards.

Virtual mobile numbers work through a server for which users sign up by downloading an app on their smartphones. The number can then be used to sign up for services like WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and email accounts.

NIA has revealed the information in a charge sheet filed before Delhi court on September 16 against alleged JeM members Sajjad Ahmad Khan, Tanvir Ahmad Ganie, Bilal Ahmad Mir and Muzzafar Ahmad Bhat. Sajjad was arrested by Delhi Police Special Cell in March from Old Delhi, following which three more terror operatives were arrested. The case was handed over to the NIA.