New Delhi, Feb 25: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two residents of Jammu and Kashmir linked to the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH) terror outfit for supplying weapons to the prime accused in the Delhi Red Fort car blast case. Both, Zameer Ahmad Ahangar of Ganderbal and Tufail Ahmad Bhat of Srinagar, are identified as active over-ground workers (OGWs) of AGH, bringing the total arrests in the case to 11.
The duo was formally arrested due to their involvement in the conspiracy behind the car bomb blast on November 10 last year in the national capital. According to the NIA, “The duo had supplied the weapons to the prime accused in the Delhi blast case.” Investigations coordinated with Jammu and Kashmir Police, Haryana Police, and other agencies indicate Zameer and Tufail participated not only in the blast conspiracy but also in other terror activities. The NIA stated, “They were engaged in the collection of arms and ammunition, intended for use against the Indian state.”
The NIA has identified Umar as the mastermind behind the Delhi blast conspiracy, alongside other accused individuals: Muzammil Ganai, Shaheen Saeed, Mufti Irfan, and Adeel Ahmed Rather, as well as five others who provided shelter and logistical support. These nine men were arrested earlier from various locations in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana. Yasir Ahmad Dar, a Shopian resident from Srinagar, was the ninth accused apprehended in the national capital.
The attack resulted in 15 fatalities and multiple injuries. The prime accused, Umar Un Nabi, died in the explosion. The NIA has also arrested Dr Bilal Naseer Malla from Baramulla for harbouring the deceased and providing logistical support. Dr Malla was taken into custody from Delhi.
Additional arrests include Soyab of Dhauj, Faridabad, arrested on November 25 for providing shelter to Umar Un Nabi; during interrogation, he confirmed that he “not only harboured Umar but also extended logistical support to facilitate the terrorist’s movements ahead of the attack.” On November 20, Shaheen Saeed, Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganai of Pulwama, Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather of Anantnag, and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay of Shopian were arrested in Srinagar based on production orders from the district sessions judge in Patiala House court.
Earlier arrests included Amir Rashid Ali, in whose name the blast vehicle was registered, and Jasir Bilal Wani alias Danish, who supplied technical assistance to the terrorist. Authorities are continuing efforts to dismantle the network responsible for planning and executing the attack.
The NIA was assigned the investigation by the Union Home Ministry immediately after the incident and is working closely with state police forces to apprehend all members of the terrorist module. On December 1, the agency conducted search operations at eight locations in Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh, recovering multiple digital devices and incriminating materials.
On November 26 and 27, the NIA conducted thorough searches at the residences of prime accused individuals Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganai and Dr Shaheen Saeed, including at Al Falah University and other sites in Faridabad, seizing significant amounts of cash, foreign currency, gold, and other evidence currently under examination.
Investigations reveal that one accused, Amir Rashid Ali, travelled to Delhi to facilitate the purchase of the car later used as a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED). The agency has forensically confirmed the identity of the dead driver of the IED vehicle as Umar, a Pulwama resident and Assistant Professor in the General Medicine Department at Al Falah University, Faridabad. The NIA also seized another vehicle owned by Umar.
To date, the NIA has examined 73 witnesses, including those injured in the blast that shocked the national capital.
