New Delhi: The Lashker-e-Taiba militants nabbed here on the eve of New Year were planning to carry out coordinated blasts using IEDs in crowded places in the capital.

"Samiullah Sheikh (21) and Ali Mohammed Sheikh (32) were carrying two kilograms of Improvised Explosive Devices," said Karnal Singh Joint Commissioner of Police.

"The two ultras were brothers and their father was an active member of Hizbul Mujahiddin," he said.

The duo, hailing from Baramullah, were nabbed just minutes before they were to plant two toy-car shaped bombs in crowded Paharganj area next to New Delhi Railway Station.

The area is a few hundred metres away from Connaught Place where thousands of revellers were about to gather for New Year celebrations.

The IED's, containing two kg of plastic explosives, were recovered from their bags, Singh said.

Terrorists had struck in Paharganj on the eve of Diwali last year, triggering an explosion in which dozens of festival shoppers were killed.