NIA raids 8 locations in Kashmir in ‘white collar’ terror module linked to Delhi blast

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday raided eight locations in Jammu and Kashmir associated with alleged members of the ‘white terror’ module linked to the Red Fort blast in Delhi.

Last month, a car exploded near Delhi’s Red Fort. At least 15 people were killed in the blast. The NIA has been investigating the incident as a suicide bombing. The man believed to be the bomber, Umar Un Nabi, has been linked to a trans-state ‘white terror’ module stretching from J&K to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Officials told PTI that searches were being carried out in Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts. They said NIA teams searched the residence of Moulvi Irfan Ahmad Wagay in Shopian.

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Separately, The Times of India reported that searches were also conducted at the residence of Jasir Bilal Wani, also known as Danish.

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Both Wagay and Wani have been arrested in connection with the ‘white terror’ module and the Delhi blast. Investigators believe Wagay played a key role in radicalising people to take up terrorism, while Wani provided technical support to the module.

Raids were also carried out in Koil, Chandgam, Malangpora and Samboora areas of Pulwama, according to PTI.

Officials said these locations were linked to individuals associated with last month’s Red Fort blast. The NIA has so far arrested seven persons in the case.

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Wagay and Wani’s role in Delhi blast

Wagay has emerged as the mastermind behind the radicalisation and recruitment of the ‘white-collar’ terror module, PTI reported, citing officials.

Wagay was arrested by J&K Police in October as part of an investigation that began with the discovery of incendiary posters in Kashmir. The probe led investigators to Faridabad and Uttar Pradesh where they uncovered the trans-state ‘white-collar’ terror module. After the NIA took over the Delhi blast investigation last month, it arrested Wagay and Wani along with others previously held by J&K Police.

In addition to Wagay and Wani, the NIA also searched the residence of Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather, who was arrested from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh last month.

As for Wani, he has emerged as a key ‘technical supporter’ of the module, according to The Times of India.

A political science graduate from Qazigund in Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Wani has been accused of working closely with Nabi to plan Hamas-style drone attacks and develop small, crude rockets for coordinated blasts, the report said.

Described as the technical backbone of the module, Wani is said to have modified drones, upgraded their batteries and camera systems, and attempted to integrate small explosive payloads designed for deployment in crowded public areas. These are tactics used by Hamas and Islamic State in West Asia.