False Alarm in Delhi: 12-Hour Police Operation Over “Jihadi Threat” Turns Out to Be Fancy Dress Rehearsal

Just a day before Republic Day, Delhi Police’s Special Cell launched a massive 12-hour operation over a suspected terrorist threat in Jamia Nagar—only to discover it was a false alarm.

The alert was triggered when a young woman from Bareilly noticed suspicious activity on her friend’s phone. A message reading “We have taken position, come over”, accompanied by photos of young people in tactical gear and turbans, raised red flags. Intelligence agencies interpreted the images as a potential jihadi plot, prompting an immediate response from multiple Special Cell teams.

Officers tracked every digital footprint, monitored streets, and mobilized top squads on standby. By evening, GPS coordinates led them to Jamia Nagar, where dozens of plainclothes officers carefully combed the crowded lanes, anticipating possible gunfire.

When police confronted the girl and reviewed the photos, the panic quickly turned to relief. The “positions” in question were part of a private fancy dress party rehearsal, and the combat-style outfits were merely costumes. The girl had mistakenly perceived the group chat as a jihadi mobilization due to heightened Republic Day security concerns.

After 12 hours of meticulous investigation, Delhi Police confirmed that the alarming scenario was nothing more than a harmless misunderstanding—a reminder of how false information can spark massive security responses.