New Delhi: Intelligence agencies probing the November 10 suicide car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, which killed 15 people and injured several others, have uncovered major evidence pointing to a transnational terror network, multi-layered handlers, and preparations for coordinated attacks, officials said. The attacker, Dr Umar Nabi, died in the explosion, while four key accused — Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganai, Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather, Dr Shaheen Saeed, and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay — are in NIA custody.
Investigators found that Muzammil, arrested after the recovery of over 2,500 kg of ammonium nitrate in Faridabad, had bought an AK-47 rifle for over ₹5 lakh. The rifle was later recovered from Adeel’s locker, indicating significant funding and pre-planning, sources said. Each accused reportedly reported to separate handlers, with key operatives Mansoor and Hashim working under a senior handler supervising the module.
Intelligence inputs show Muzammil, Adeel, and Muzaffar Ahmad travelled to Turkey in 2022 on the instructions of an individual named Okasa, linked to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan. They were meant to be routed to Afghanistan, but the plan was abandoned after a week. Muzammil’s communication with Okasa intensified over Telegram after he sought clarity on his handler.
Agencies revealed that Umar studied bomb-making content online and sourced chemicals from Nuh and electronic components from Bhagirath Palace and Faridabad. He purchased a deep freezer specifically to stabilise and process the explosive mixture. A dispute over money between Umar and Muzammil at Al-Falah University led Umar to hand over his EcoSport car — already containing explosives — to Muzammil.
Investigators believe the module intended to stockpile explosives at multiple sites for simultaneous strikes, supported by recovered materials and digital evidence. Probing agencies are now tracking the wider network, funding routes, and foreign handlers. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court has declined to direct the NIA to allow co-accused Jasir Bilal Wani to meet his lawyer; he remains in NIA custody. (Agencies)
