The probe into the November 10 Delhi terror blast and the “white coat” terror module involving doctors has now led agencies to two more hideouts used by Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, an Al-Falah University professor accused of preparing explosives meant to be placed in cars as IEDs.
New findings show how Ganaie quietly moved chemicals, rented properties under false pretences, and worked with associates within the university to assemble the materials, TOI reported.
2,600 kg ammonium nitrate hid in farm shed
According to the investigators, Muzammil had hidden 2,600 kg of ammonium nitrate in a shed near a mosque right behind the Al-Falah University campus. The explosive chemical was stored there for nearly 12 days before he shifted it to the home of a cleric, Mohd Istaq, in Fatehpur Taga.
Notably, Faridabad and J&K police managed to seize the entire consignment on November 9, just a day before the blast outside Red Fort Metro Station. Investigators say Muzammil had also stored another batch of 350 kg in a rented room in Dhauj, in addition to buying a grinder and portable furnace to convert the chemicals into explosive material.
Rented house and a fake business plan
Another major lead has emerged from Khori Jamalpur, just 8 km from the university. Muzammil rented a three-room accommodation there in July for Rs 8,000 a month. The property is above a plastic raw-materials unit owned by former sarpanch Jumma, who said Muzammil claimed he wanted to start a fruit supply business and would bring produce from Kashmir.
Muzammil visited the house frequently, often accompanied by Dr Shahin Shaheed, an Al-Falah University doctor also arrested in the terror module. Muzammil had introduced her to the property owner as a relative, but he has now confessed to the NIA that she is actually his wife. The pair vacated the premises after three months.
NIA officials took Muzammil back to the house this week, where Jumma immediately identified him. The agency questioned residents for hours about the activities carried out inside the rented rooms.
Meanwhile, investigators say the shed where the 2,600 kg ammonium nitrate was first stored belonged to a local Muzammil met at the mosque. He allegedly convinced the man to let him store the sacks for “temporary space issues,” without revealing what they contained. Only when the owner expressed fear of theft did Muzammil shift everything to the cleric’s house, where it was eventually seized.
Chemical sourcing trail leads to Faridabad dealer
The NIA has also traced the source of one of the chemicals used in the blast to a shop in Faridabad’s NIT Nehru Ground area. The shop, BR Scientific and Chemicals, is owned by licensed dealer Lal Babu and supplies chemicals to hospitals, colleges and laboratories.
During questioning, Muzammil admitted he had purchased chemicals from this store. NIA teams raided the premises on Thursday, examined business records and seized multiple documents for further verification.
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