Red Fort blast probe: How NIA exposed ‘white-collar terror ecosystem’ and detailed roles of 7 accused

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested seven individuals, detailing their alleged specific roles within what investigators term a “white-collar terror ecosystem” responsible for the Red Fort vehicle blast. The explosion from a Hyundai i20 near the Lal Qila Metro station on November 10 killed 15 people and injured several others.

According to the agency’s investigation, the seven accused are connected to Umar Nabi, the alleged driver of the Hyundai i20 used as the vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Nabi, suspected to be the leader of the module, was identified after DNA samples were taken from his mother.

The NIA has detailed the specific roles each of the seven arrested individuals is suspected to have played, as reported by The Indian Express.

Amir Rashid Ali, a Kashmiri resident, was the first to be apprehended. The agency claims he conspired with Nabi by providing logistical support, including facilitating the purchase of the i20, which was registered in his name. Amir had reportedly come to Delhi specifically to enable the car’s purchase and also arranged a safe house for Nabi.

Jasir Bilal Wani is alleged to have provided critical technical aid. The NIA states that Wani explained IED technology to other members of the group and was involved in modifying drones and attempting to manufacture rockets ahead of the attack.

Four other accused — Muzammil Ahmad Ganai, Adeel Ahmed Rather, Shaheen Ansari and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay — are described as close associates of Nabi and part of the “white-collar terror ecosystem” with connections to Jaish-e-Mohammad and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind.

Notably, Nabi, Muzammil and Shaheen were all employed at Al Falah University in Faridabad. The Jammu and Kashmir Police had previously arrested Wagay on October 27, Muzammil on October 29 and Adeel Ahmed on November 5 before they were taken into NIA custody in Srinagar.

In a significant earlier find, the J&K Police had seized 358 kg of explosives, suspected to be ammonium nitrate, from Muzammil’s rented home in Faridabad.

The seventh individual, Mohammad Soyab, also a resident of Dhauj village, is accused of providing logistical support to Nabi and harbouring him in the period before the blast.

The NIA, to which the Union Home Ministry handed the investigation, confirmed that all seven accused are currently in its custody and undergoing interrogation. The agency is working in close coordination with various state police forces to track down and arrest all individuals behind the deadly explosion. A key focus of the probe involves meticulously tracing every contact Umar Nabi made in the months leading up to the attack.