Terrorists planned to storm Akshardham Temple, says ATS

A suspected militant on 8 January has divulged that they were hatching a plan to storm the Akshardham Temple and disrupt the Republic Day parade on 26 January in the national capital.

During his hours' long interrogation by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Bilal Ahmad Wani revealed about the terror-attack plan.

The ATS said, "Wani disclosed that he along with two of his companions were planning to attack Akshardham temple and disrupt the January 26 parade."

The trio lodged into the Al Rashid Guest House on January 2 near Jama Masjid.

Acting swiftly, Uttar Pradesh ATS and Delhi Police reached the hotel and found that Wani's friends, identified as Mudsir Ahmed Wah and Mohammad Ashraf, vacated the room on January 6 night.

A high alert has been sent in search of the alleged absconding terrorists.

Security has also been beefed up in Delhi-NCR, ahead of the Republic Day celebrations.

Wani, 32, a resident of Dialgam, Anantnag tehsil of South Kashmir, was detained by the Government Railway Police (GRP) for traveling without a ticket in Shatabdi Express.

He was handed over to the ATS yesterday.

Police have recovered Aadhaar cards and several documents from his possession. 

-ANI