Delhi has been placed under a stringent security blanket following specific intelligence warnings that the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is plotting major strikes in the national capital. According to intelligence sources, the group is allegedly planning IED attacks to “avenge” the February 6 suicide bombing at the Khadija Tul Kubra Shia mosque in Islamabad, which killed at least 31 people and injured over 160.
While the Islamabad blast was claimed by ISIL (Da’esh), intelligence inputs suggest LeT is attempting to capitalize on the sectarian tensions to launch a retaliatory strike against Indian targets, specifically focusing on prominent religious landmarks.
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The Retaliation Plot: From Islamabad to Delhi
The current alert is the second major security warning in a month. The first was issued prior to Republic Day, involving Khalistani and Bangladesh-based outfits. However, the current threat is more specific, citing a desire for “revenge” for the recent violence in Pakistan’s capital.
Intelligence reports, cited by ANI and PTI on Saturday, indicate that LeT handlers may be using local criminal networks—or “foot soldiers”—to plant IEDs in crowded areas. This shift toward using decentralized criminal gangs has become a growing concern for the Delhi Police Special Cell.
Specific Targets: Red Fort and Chandni Chowk
Surveillance has been intensified in the historic Old Delhi district.
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Religious Sites: A temple in the Chandni Chowk area has been identified as a potential target.
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Monuments: Areas surrounding the Red Fort (Lal Qila) are under constant CCTV monitoring. This follows the tragic car explosion near the Red Fort in November 2025, which remains a primary driver for the current “zero-tolerance” security protocols.
[Image showing Delhi Police personnel conducting vehicle checks and using sniffer dogs near the entrance of Chandni Chowk]
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Heightened Vigilance: Mahashivratri and the AI Summit
The alert coincided with the Mahashivratri festival on February 15, during which a DCP-rank officer and specialized commandos were stationed at the Gauri Shankar Temple. While that event passed without incident, the high alert has been extended due to the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam.
With heads of state and global tech CEOs currently in the city, the Delhi Police have deployed Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and Bomb Disposal Squads at strategic nodal points. Surveillance has also been scaled up at major transit hubs, including the New Delhi and Old Delhi railway stations.
Reality Check
Security agencies frequently declare such inputs as “inconsequential” after a period of high vigilance. Still, the November 2025 car blast proved that lapses can be fatal. Therefore, while “high alert” is a common state for Delhi, the specific mention of an IED plot to avenge an external event suggests a credible threat level. In fact, the “revenge motive” often leads to more desperate, lone-wolf style attempts that are harder to track than large module-based operations.
The Loopholes
Intelligence warns of “Punjab-based gangsters” acting as foot soldiers. In fact, this creates a “deniability loophole” for terror handlers abroad. By using local criminals who aren’t on traditional terror watchlists, outfits like LeT can move explosives through standard “smuggling routes” without triggering high-level alerts. Therefore, the police’s shift toward monitoring inter-state criminal gangs in Haryana and UP is a necessary, albeit reactive, loophole-closer.
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What This Means for You
If you are a resident or a tourist in Delhi this weekend, expect significant delays. First, realize that vehicle checks and frisking at metro stations and temple entrances will be much more rigorous. Then, avoid leaving bags unattended even for a moment, as it will likely trigger a full bomb-squad response and potentially a localized lockdown.
Finally, understand that the Old Delhi area (Chandni Chowk/Red Fort) is the highest-risk zone. You should consider using the Delhi Metro to bypass road checkpoints, but be prepared for “crowd control” measures at the Lal Qila and Chandni Chowk stations. Before heading out, follow the Delhi Police’s official X (Twitter) handle for real-time updates on any sudden road closures or “regulated entry” zones.
What’s Next
The high alert is expected to remain in place until the conclusion of all AI Summit-related departures on Sunday evening. Then, the NIA (National Investigation Agency) is expected to provide a fresh update on the ongoing November 2025 blast probe, which may reveal more about current LeT modules. Finally, look for an “Integrated Security Audit” of all major religious sites in North India by early March 2026.
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