On March 2, 2025, Indian security forces thwarted a chilling terror plot aimed at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, a site of immense religious significance for millions of Hindus. The suspect, identified as 19-year-old Abdul Rehman, was arrested in Faridabad, Haryana, with two hand grenades in his possession. Authorities allege that Rehman, reportedly linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), intended to execute the attack during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan (Ramadan), which begins later in March 2025. The grenades were safely defused following his arrest, and investigators are now digging deeper into Rehman’s terror connections and the possibility of a broader conspiracy. This article delves into the details of the incident, drawing from credible web sources and posts on X, to provide a comprehensive overview of the thwarted plot and its implications.
The Arrest: A Joint Operation in Faridabad
Abdul Rehman’s capture was the result of a meticulously coordinated operation involving the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the Haryana Special Task Force (STF), and central intelligence agencies. According to a March 3, 2025, report from The Times of India, Rehman, a native of Uttar Pradesh living incognito in Faridabad under the alias “Shankar,” was apprehended on Sunday near the Pali-Dhauj road. The breakthrough came after Gujarat ATS received intelligence about an ISI-orchestrated plot targeting the Ram Mandir, prompting swift collaboration with Haryana authorities.
During the arrest, security forces recovered two unmarked hand grenades from Rehman’s possession, which were later defused in a controlled operation. A Republic World report from the same day noted that the grenades were found hidden in an abandoned location in Faridabad’s Pali area after a four-hour search, underscoring the operation’s intensity. Posts on X echoed the gravity of the find, with user @ichkipichki tweeting on March 3: “Major Terror Plot to attack Ayodhya Ram Mandir foiled. Terrorist Abdul Rehman wanted to attack Ram Mandir in Ramadan. 2 live Hand Grenades recovered.”
Rehman’s interrogation revealed he had conducted reconnaissance of the Ram Mandir premises in Ayodhya at least twice, surveying key entry points like Gates 1 and 2, as reported by Newsx.com. After completing his recce, he traveled by train from Faizabad (Ayodhya district) to Faridabad, where he met an unidentified handler who supplied the explosives. This handler, believed to be an ISI operative, remains a focal point of the ongoing investigation.
ISI Links and Radicalization: A Disturbing Connection
A recurring theme in reports is Rehman’s alleged ties to Pakistan’s ISI, the country’s powerful military intelligence agency known for its role in supporting terror activities across borders. News18 reported on March 3 that Rehman, a resident of Faizabad, had been receiving online training from ISI operatives on operating an AK-47 assault rifle, though no firearm was recovered during his arrest. Sources cited by Republic World confirmed that the ISI not only trained him but also arranged logistics for the planned attack, pointing to a sophisticated terror network.
Further complicating the narrative, some outlets, like Amar Ujala, suggested Rehman’s radicalization may have been influenced by the Islamic State’s Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), possibly via social media. Investigators found “radical material” in his possession, including videos detailing major religious sites across India, per tfipost.com. This dual affiliation—ISI and potential ISIS-K links—raises questions about whether Rehman was a lone actor or part of a larger sleeper cell. As The Times of India noted, top ATS officials were summoned to Delhi for a security briefing post-arrest, signaling national-level concern over the plot’s scope.
On X, sentiment reflected alarm over the ISI connection. User @RealBababanaras posted: “Abdul Rehman, linked to Pakistan’s ISI, was arrested… Two live grenades were seized,” while @SheetalPronamo remarked sarcastically: “As per initial investigation he was trained by ISI Pakistan. And this is peaceful month for them 🙄.” These reactions highlight public frustration and the geopolitical undertones of the incident.
The Target: Ram Mandir During Ramzan
The choice of the Ram Mandir as a target carries profound symbolic weight. Consecrated on January 22, 2024, the temple has become a focal point of Hindu devotion and national pride, drawing millions of pilgrims, especially during events like the ongoing Prayagraj Mahakumbh in 2025. Oneindia News reported that security around the temple has been tightened since its opening due to its high-profile status and the steady influx of visitors.
Rehman’s plan to strike during Ramzan—projected to begin around March 20, 2025, depending on the lunar calendar—adds a layer of complexity. Ramzan is a time of fasting and prayer for Muslims worldwide, but it has also been exploited by terror groups for high-impact attacks, leveraging the period’s emotional resonance. India Today sources claimed the attack was intended as a “grenade assault,” a method that could maximize chaos in the temple’s crowded precincts. The timing suggests an intent to inflame communal tensions, a tactic often attributed to ISI-backed operations in India.
Investigation and Security Response
Following his arrest, Rehman was taken to Gujarat for further interrogation, with Haryana STF granting 10-day judicial custody, per Republic World. Authorities are probing his wider network, including the identity of his Faridabad handler and potential accomplices. News.abplive.com reported that searches in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana continue, with central agencies assisting to dismantle any linked sleeper cells. A source quoted by The Times of India hinted at “more arrests expected soon,” suggesting the plot may extend beyond Rehman.
Ayodhya police briefly questioned Rehman’s parents, who claimed he worked as a rickshaw puller and had once spent four months in Delhi, according to freepressjournal.in. This narrative contrasts with the sophisticated terror training he allegedly received, raising questions about his recruitment and radicalization timeline.
Security measures have intensified nationwide. Organiser.org noted that the Ram Mandir’s vulnerability has prompted calls to bolster its defenses, especially ahead of Ramzan and the Mahakumbh’s conclusion. The Gujarat ATS’s ongoing operations, as mentioned by TV9 Telugu, aim to preempt any follow-up threats.
Implications and Broader Context
The foiled plot underscores the persistent threat of terrorism targeting India’s religious and cultural landmarks. The Ram Mandir, a symbol of Hindu resurgence after decades of legal battles, has long been a potential flashpoint. This incident follows a pattern of ISI-linked activities in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks and various Kashmir-centric operations. Hindupost.in framed it as part of a broader ISI strategy to destabilize India, a view echoed by X user @PranayChatter11, who tagged police forces in a call for vigilance.
The timing—45 days into President Donald Trump’s hypothetical 2025 term, as imagined in earlier prompts—adds an international dimension, though no direct U.S. link exists here. Domestically, the arrest reinforces the need for robust counter-terrorism measures, especially as India navigates high-profile religious events in 2025.
Conclusion
Abdul Rehman’s arrest with two hand grenades in Faridabad marks a significant victory for Indian security agencies in averting a terror attack on the Ram Mandir during Ramzan. His alleged ISI ties, reconnaissance of the temple, and possession of radical materials paint a picture of a calculated plot with potentially devastating consequences. As investigators unravel his network, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges India faces in safeguarding its sacred spaces. For now, the defused grenades and Rehman’s custody offer relief—but the specter of terrorism looms large, demanding unrelenting vigilance.
Sources: The Times of India, Republic World, Newsx.com, News18, Amar Ujala, tfipost.com, India Today, Oneindia News, freepressjournal.in, news.abplive.com, Organiser.org, TV9 Telugu, Hindupost.in, X posts from various users.
