Red Fort blast case: NIA arrests Delhi suicide bomber's another Kashmir-based aide

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a second man from Kashmir, Jasir Bilal Wani, alias Danish, in connection with the deadly car bomb blast outside Red Fort Metro station in Delhi on 10 November that killed 13 people and injured 32. Investigators say Wani worked closely with suicide bomber Umar Nabi as the probe expands across multiple states.

Wani, a resident of Qazigund in Anantnag district, was taken into custody from Srinagar. According to the NIA, he allegedly provided technical support for terror attacks by modifying drones and attempting to manufacture rockets in the run-up to the blast.

A spokesperson for the NIA said, “He was an active co-conspirator behind the attack and had worked closely with the terrorist, Umar un Nabi, to plan the terror carnage.”

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The agency’s initial investigation revealed that Wani had been instructed by Nabi to prepare for a fidayeen (suicide) attack. The two first met at a mosque in Kashmir, where Nabi allegedly radicalised Wani.

Earlier arrests of Nabi’s aide

On Sunday, the NIA had also arrested Amir Rashid Ali, another Kashmir-based aide of Nabi. “The arrested person has been identified as Amir Rashid Ali, in whose name the Hyundai i20 involved in the attack was registered. He was arrested from Delhi (where he was brought for questioning) by the NIA, which had launched a massive search operation after taking over the case from the Delhi Police,” the NIA spokesperson said.

“Investigations have revealed that Ali, a resident of Samboora, Pampore, had conspired with the alleged suicide bomber, Umar Un Nabi, to unleash the terror attack,” the spokesperson added.

“Amir had come to Delhi to facilitate the purchase of the car, which was eventually used as a vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (IED) to trigger the blast. NIA has forensically established the identity of the deceased driver of the vehicle-borne IED as Umar Nabi, a resident of Pulwama district and Assistant Professor in General Medicine Department at Al Falah University in Faridabad,” the spokesperson said.

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Ongoing investigation and multi-state probe

During the investigation, the NIA also seized another vehicle belonging to Nabi. “The vehicle is being examined for evidence in the case. NIA has so far examined 73 witnesses, including those injured in the blast on 10 November,” the spokesperson said.

“Working in close coordination with Delhi Police, J&K Police, Haryana Police, UP Police and various sister agencies, NIA is continuing its investigation across states. It is pursuing multiple leads to unearth the larger conspiracy behind the bombing and identify others involved in the case,” the spokesperson added.

Wani was detained by Jammu and Kashmir Police three days ago. His father, a dry-fruit seller, tragically died by suicide on Sunday by pouring kerosene over himself and setting himself on fire.