A 19-year-old, Abdul Rehman of Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, was taken into custody on Sunday evening on charges of planning an attack on the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He was arrested during a joint operation by the Haryana Special Task Force (STF) and Gujarat's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).

Officials suspect Rehman, who owned a meat shop and also drove an auto-rickshaw as a cover identity, was trained and guided by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Sources say he had been carrying out scouting activities near the Ram Temple and communicating intelligence to the ISI. The temple was inaugurated last January and is still a high-security location.

Rehman reportedly arranged to meet his handler at Faridabad, Haryana, where he would receive two hand grenades. He would then proceed to Ayodhya by train to launch the attack.

On the basis of inputs provided by central security agencies, a complaint was made by the Haryana STF, and Rehman was arrested. After his arrest, he was produced before a local court and remanded to police custody for 10 days.

Security personnel also recovered two hand grenades hidden in an abandoned house near Pali village, which is 12 km from Faridabad. The explosives were defused successfully, preventing a possible disaster.

Rehman has been brought to Gujarat for further questioning. Officials suspect that he was associated with several jamaats (Islamic groups) and are trying to find out if more people or terror units were involved in the conspiracy.

Sources say that the ATS' operation is an ongoing one, with security forces on high alert to avert any more threats.

You might also be interested in - 19-year old girl raped, robbed, and forced to engage in obscene act with cousin