Masterminds Of Blast In Turkey, Afghanistan: Probe

New Delhi:As the Centre on Wednesday described the Red Fort car blast, which killed 12 people and injured several others, as a terrorist attack, investigating agencies have reportedly uncovered an international link, tracing the masterminds to handlers based in Turkey and Afghanistan. These handlers were allegedly in contact with members of the so-called “doctor module”, a group of highly educated recruits linked to the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

Investigators revealed that Dr Umar Nabi, who drove the vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED)-laden car that exploded near the Red Fort, had originally planned a major attack around the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary on December 6. However, his plan was foiled after the arrest of Dr Muzammil Ganaie, from whose room police recovered 360 kg of ammonium nitrate. Officials believe Umar panicked as the network began to collapse, leading to an accidental explosion.

“Forensic experts are examining exhibits to detect fragments of a possible signal device used to stay in touch with handlers,” a senior officer said.

Investigations also revealed that Umar and Ganaie conducted multiple recces of the Red Fort area in January, apparently intending to target the monument on Republic Day as part of a broader plan to strike key installations in Delhi. Their movements were verified through mobile tower data and CCTV footage, while analysis of Ganaie’s phone dump data showed repeated presence around the Red Fort in early January.

According to investigators, a 2021 trip to Turkey by Umar and Ganaie marked their radicalisation. The two allegedly came into contact with overground JeM operatives during their visit. Their passports confirm travel to Turkey shortly after they joined Telegram groups Farzandan-e-Darul Uloom (Deoband) and another run by Pakistan-based JeM handler Umar bin Khattab. These handlers later instructed members of the “doctor module” to disperse across India and prepare 26/11-style coordinated attacks following their Turkey visit.

Before the explosion, Nabi, an assistant professor at Al-Falah University, visited a mosque on Asaf Ali Road near Ramlila Maidan and stayed there for nearly three hours offering prayers. He later parked the car at the Sunehri Masjid parking lot around 3.19 pm, leaving the area after 6 pm. Investigators suspect the blast was a fidayeen-style act, possibly triggered accidentally.

In a related development, police seized a red car, also registered in Nabi’s name, from Faridabad. The registered address in New Seelampur was found to be fake, indicating the use of forged documents to buy the vehicle. The car is suspected to have been used for reconnaissance ahead of the attack. A Faridabad-based car dealer has been detained, and all second-hand dealers in Delhi and neighbouring states have been instructed to verify recent sales.

The Delhi Police Special Cell, National Investigation Agency (NIA), and intelligence agencies are analysing mobile data from the Red Fort area between 3 pm and 6.30 pm on the day of the blast to track Umar’s movements and communications.

Amid scrutiny after the arrests, Al-Falah University said it had “only a professional association” with the two doctors and was “anguished by the unfortunate developments.”

“The university is a responsible institution and stands in solidarity with the nation,” it said in a statement.

Teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) have collected over 40 samples from the blast site, including two cartridges, one live round, and residues of two types of explosives. Preliminary tests indicate that one sample contained military-grade ammonium nitrate.

Raids continue across Delhi, Faridabad, and Jammu & Kashmir as agencies work to dismantle what officials describe as one of the most sophisticated “white-collar” terror modules uncovered in recent years.

The explosion occurred just hours after police arrested eight suspects, including three doctors, and seized around 3,000 kg of explosives during raids across Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.