Ayodhya Terror Plot: Family Claims Innocence as 19-Year-Old Accused of ISI-Linked Attack

A Foiled Terror Plot at the Ram Temple The arrest of 19-year-old Abdul Rehman has sent shockwaves across India, with authorities claiming he was part of a terror plot to target the recently consecrated Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The alleged plan, reportedly orchestrated by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP), was intercepted before it could be executed. Rehman was arrested by a joint team from Gujarat’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Haryana’s Special Task Force (STF) on Sunday. Authorities believe he was radicalized and trained remotely, with intelligence pointing to his involvement in a larger network operating across India. However, as investigators probe deeper, his family insists he is innocent, possibly framed by misleading acquaintances. Family Speaks Out: "My Son Is Innocent" As Rehman remains in custody, his family in Ayodhya’s Milkipur village has strongly refuted the allegations. His mother, devastated by the arrest, pleaded for his release, stating, “My child is innocent. He has never been involved in anything like this. He only drives a battery-powered rickshaw.” She recalled how the police took him away without explanation, along with her husband, leaving them in a state of shock. She also highlighted his health struggles, revealing that he had undergone heart surgery through financial aid collected via donations. “We have only one son and three daughters. We have no one else,” she said tearfully. Father's Perspective: "If He Is Guilty, Let It Be Proven" Rehman’s father also expressed disbelief over the allegations. He stated that his son had informed him of a short trip to meet a friend before his disappearance. “I wasn’t allowing him to leave. I told him that Eid was near and that we needed money,” he said. The last call from Rehman came on March 2, after which his phone was switched off. The father was briefly detained and questioned by the police but later released. “I was told to go home and watch the news. That’s when I learned about the allegations,” he said. While the father believes in due process, he questioned whether his son was misled. “If someone is guilty, they should be punished. But it must be investigated whether he was falsely implicated.” The Arrest: How Authorities Tracked Rehman According to intelligence reports, Rehman’s radicalization may have begun at a local vegetable market, where he was allegedly recruited. Authorities claim he later travelled to Delhi and Visakhapatnam, where he joined a jamaat (Islamic assembly) suspected of extremist affiliations. Investigators believe Rehman underwent remote indoctrination and training via video calls while managing his father’s meat shop. He allegedly made reconnaissance visits to the Ram Temple, gathering details for the planned attack. The final phase of the operation was set in motion last week when Rehman travelled to Faridabad, Haryana. There, he reportedly met his handler and received two hand grenades. He was supposed to proceed to Delhi and then Ayodhya to carry out the attack. However, central intelligence agencies, having intercepted communications linked to ISI operatives, alerted Gujarat ATS and Haryana STF, leading to his arrest before he could execute the plan. Expanding Investigations: The ISI Connection Following Rehman’s arrest, security forces launched multiple raids in Uttar Pradesh, targeting potential collaborators. The operation spanned Balia, Ayodhya, Gonda, Azamgarh, Mau, and Saharanpur, tightening security around the Ram Temple. Authorities are also investigating a possible connection between Rehman and a Pakistani woman, known by the alias Ishika Kapoor. She is believed to be an ISI operative who maintained contact with a Mumbai-based private sector employee, Rahul Singh, raising further questions about ISI’s network in India. The Road Ahead for Investigators Rehman is currently in the custody of Gujarat ATS for 10 days, where he is being interrogated about his alleged handlers and network. Security agencies are focusing on identifying his contacts, the extent of ISKP’s involvement, and whether additional operatives remain at large. Meanwhile, political and security experts stress the need for heightened vigilance, given ISI’s persistent attempts to destabilize India. The case also underscores the growing challenge of digital radicalization, where young individuals are recruited remotely into extremist networks. For Rehman’s family, however, the battle is now to prove his innocence. While the government views his arrest as a critical victory in counterterrorism efforts, his parents continue to hope for a fair trial that will reveal the truth—whether he was a misguided pawn or an innocent victim of false implication. As investigations unfold, one question remains: Was this a lone case, or does it signal a larger, more organized terror network within India?   (With inputs from agencies)