Key Points:
- Intelligence agencies intercepted “26/26” coded communications referring to January 26, 2026
- Ram Temple in Ayodhya and Raghunath Temple in Jammu are primary targets, along with Delhi and other major cities
- Pakistan’s ISI is coordinating the operation through Jaish-e-Mohammed with support from Punjab-based gangsters
- Delhi-based terrorist Mohammad Rehan appears on wanted posters for the first time in Republic Day security history
- Enhanced security measures include facial recognition systems, intensive border patrols, and round-the-clock social media monitoring
Security agencies across India have activated maximum alert protocols following intelligence warnings of a coordinated terror attack planned to coincide with Republic Day celebrations on January 26. The operation, cryptically referenced as “26/26” in intercepted communications, represents one of the most specific and credible threats to emerge ahead of the national holiday in recent years.
The intelligence inputs reveal a sophisticated cross-border conspiracy orchestrated by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency through the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit. Punjab-based gangsters are reportedly serving as logistical foot soldiers for the operation, which aims to execute multiple synchronized strikes across the country. This same network was responsible for the devastating car bomb attack near Red Fort in November that killed 15 people, demonstrating their operational capability within the national capital region.
Specific Targets Identified
According to intelligence bulletins accessed by security agencies, the newly consecrated Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the historic Raghunath Temple in Jammu rank highest among the terrorists’ target list. Major cities, particularly Delhi, face an elevated risk due to the Republic Day parade and associated celebrations at Kartavya Path. The threat assessment indicates that attackers may attempt to strike multiple locations simultaneously to maximize casualties and create widespread panic.
Delhi-Based Terrorist Surfaces
In an unprecedented move, the Delhi Police have included a Delhi-based terrorist on their Republic Day wanted posters for the first time. Mohammad Rehan, a resident of Chauhan Bangar in North East Delhi, is identified as an Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent operative who has been absconding since 2016. He escaped during the busting of an Al-Qaeda module in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, and remains a high-priority target for intelligence agencies. His photograph now appears alongside other suspected terrorists at Metro stations, markets, and transport hubs across the capital.
Intensified Security Measures
The Delhi Police have implemented a technology-driven security grid across the New Delhi district, with enhanced CCTV coverage and facial recognition systems monitoring all entry and exit points. Specialized units conduct intensive checking at railway stations and bus terminals, while dog squads and bomb disposal teams maintain round-the-clock readiness.
Intelligence agencies are conducting continuous surveillance of social media platforms where the Kashmiri Resistance Front’s Falcon Squad has issued threats and attempted to incite Muslim youth. The digital monitoring operation focuses on encrypted messaging apps and dark web channels where operational details are typically communicated.
Border Security Escalated
Security forces in Jammu have significantly heightened vigilance along the international border, with the Border Security Force intensifying patrols and surveillance. Agencies remain concerned about infiltration attempts through drones and tunnels, prompting extensive search operations along riverbanks, in forests, and in inaccessible areas. The Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police are conducting joint operations in the border and interior regions to preempt any cross-border movement.
Regional Implications
The 26/26 plot has emerged despite standard Republic Day security protocols that typically see heightened alert levels. The specific intelligence and named suspects indicate a credible threat that has forced security forces to maintain extra vigilance at religious sites and crowded public places nationwide. Citizens have been urged to report suspicious activities immediately as agencies work to disrupt the conspiracy before it can materialize.
