‘Terror funds and infighting’: New details emerge in Delhi blast probe - but what still remains unclear?

Red Fort blast

Investigative agencies have uncovered a major terror plot involving eight suspects who allegedly planned to carry out serial blasts in several Indian cities.

According to a report by ANI, the terrorists were preparing to split into four groups of two, each carrying multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Their plan was to cause large-scale destruction across four major cities.

Funding, and internal disputes

As per the investigators, the accused, identified as Dr Muzammil, Dr Adeel, Umar, and Shaheen, raised around Rs 20 lakh in cash to finance the operation. The money was allegedly handed over to Umar before the recent blast near Delhi’s Red Fort.

The group also purchased over 20 quintals of NPK fertiliser worth Rs 3 lakh from Gurugram, Nuh, and nearby regions to make explosives.

However, there was a money dispute between Umar and Dr Muzammil, leading Umar to form a small communication group of 2-4 members on the encrypted app Signal. Investigators believe this group was used to coordinate movement, funding, and planning for the attacks.

Vehicles loaded with explosives

Investigators are also probing whether the terrorists were preparing separate vehicles for the blasts. Early findings suggest that after using an i20 and EcoSport in the Delhi explosion, the suspects planned to modify two more old vehicles to carry explosives and expand their attack targets.

What still remains unclear?

However, it remains unclear whether the i20 car was carrying explosives or had been rigged as an explosive device. Investigators are still determining the exact composition and mechanism of the device.
This comes days after a blast in Delhi's Red Fort claimed at least 12 lives and injured several others.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formed a dedicated team to probe the Delhi car blast, which investigators believe was executed by a Jaish-e-Mohammad module recently unearthed by Indian security agencies.