The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested another alleged “active co-conspirator” in the November 10 Red Fort blast, tightening its probe into what officials describe as a sophisticated, multi-state “white-collar” terror module.
The accused, Jasir Bilal Wani, alias Danish, a 20-year-old resident of Qazigund in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, is suspected of providing key technical support to the group. According to the NIA, Wani helped modify drones and attempted to fabricate rockets, work that investigators say was central to boosting the module’s strike capability.
Officials said Wani worked closely with suicide bomber Umar un-Nabi, who drove the explosive-laden vehicle that detonated near the Red Fort. “Preliminary findings indicate Wani was deeply involved in planning and technical preparations,” an official said.
This is the second arrest in the case within 24 hours. On Sunday, the NIA apprehended Amir Rashid Ali, a plumber from Kashmir and owner of the vehicle used by Nabi.
Wani, a BSc student at Degree College Lawdora, was initially detained by the Jammu & Kashmir Police before being handed over to the NIA. He lived next to Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather, a doctor already arrested for his alleged role in the module.
The arrest comes amid tragedy in Wani’s family. His father, Bilal Ahmad, attempted self-immolation on Sunday after being denied a meeting with his detained sons and succumbed to his injuries the same day. Wani had been picked up on Friday along with his uncle, a physics lecturer.
Investigators say Wani met several key module members at a mosque in Kulgam and later travelled to a rented accommodation near Al-Falah University in Faridabad, believed to be a hub where parts of IEDs and weapons were assembled. Officials also claim Nabi tried to brainwash Wani into becoming a suicide bomber, but he backed out citing financial troubles and religious prohibitions.
Encrypted network, defined roles
NIA officials say the module operated through encrypted Signal channels, strict role distribution and frequent movement of weapons across Delhi, Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir. Members of the encrypted group included Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganaie, Adeel Ahmad Rather, Muzaffar Rather and cleric Molvi Irfan, believed to be central to recruitment efforts.
The trail strengthened after a weapons cache — including a foreign-made rifle and a pistol — was recovered from the vehicle of another accused, Dr Shaheen Shahid. Investigators say the weapons had been circulating among module members since 2024.
Officials have also mapped a clear division of labour: the three medical professionals allegedly managed finances; Umar prepared young recruits for potential suicide attacks; and others handled arms transfers, with weapons frequently moved to avoid detection.
The arrest of Ali, the plumber, has helped corroborate movement patterns and planning meetings across Kashmir and Faridabad, officials said.
Since taking over the investigation, the NIA has examined 73 witnesses, including those injured in the blast, and warned of more arrests in the coming days. Raids continue across Delhi, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir and other states to identify external handlers, funding channels and potential targets.
Comments are closed.