NIA Arrests Alleged Red Fort Blast Co-Conspirator Linked to Drone, Rocket Development

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested another alleged “active co-conspirator” in the November 10 Red Fort blast case.

Widening its investigation into what officials describe as a sophisticated, multi-state terror module operating with technical expertise and strict internal coordination.

Who Was Arrested?

The arrested suspect, Jasir Bilal Wani (alias Danish), a 20-year-old resident of Qazigund in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, is accused of providing technical support to the group. According to the NIA, he helped in modifying drones and attempting to fabricate rockets, making him a key asset to the module.

Preliminary findings indicate Wani worked closely with Umar un-Nabi, the suicide bomber who drove the explosive-laden vehicle that detonated near the Red Fort. Officials said Wani’s engineering skills were intended to enhance the group’s ability to carry out more lethal attacks.

This marks the second arrest in 48 hours. A day earlier, the agency detained Amir Rashid Ali, a plumber whose vehicle was allegedly used in the blast.

Detention and Family Tragedy

Wani, a BSc student, had been picked up by Jammu & Kashmir Police for questioning and later handed over to the NIA. Officials say he lived near Dr. Adeel Ahmad Rather, another suspect previously arrested.

A tragic turn followed his detention: Wani’s father, Bilal Ahmad, attempted self-immolation on Sunday after failing to meet his detained sons. He later succumbed to his injuries.

Module Meetings and Movement

Investigators say Wani had met several members of the module at a Kulgam mosque, after which he travelled to a rented accommodation near Al-Falah University in Faridabad—a suspected site where parts of IEDs and other weapons were assembled.

Officials also claim that Umar attempted to radicalise Wani for a suicide attack, but Wani backed out citing his family’s financial condition and religious beliefs.

Encrypted Communication & Network Structure

According to NIA officials, the module operated through encrypted messaging, primarily a Signal group created by Umar using special characters to avoid detection. Members identified on this hub include:

• Dr. Muzammil Shakeel Ganaie
• Dr. Adeel Ahmad Rather
• Muzaffar Rather
• Molvi Irfan

A weapons haul from the vehicle of another suspect, Dr. Shaheen Shahid, led investigators to a foreign-made rifle and pistol, expanding the trail back to 2024 when Umar allegedly procured weapons and passed them on to Irfan, a cleric suspected of recruitment.

Officials say roles were clearly distributed among members. Financial backing was allegedly coordinated by the three medical professionals—Muzammil, Shaheen, and Adeel—while Umar worked on recruiting young men for potential suicide missions.

Evidence of Long-Running Coordination

Investigators have traced multiple meetings and arms transfers involving the suspects. One incident from October 2023 involved Adeel and Umar visiting Irfan at Masjid Ali with a rifle concealed in a bag. In another instance, Adeel and two others reportedly stored a weapon overnight at Irfan’s home, pointing to a deliberate effort to spread responsibilities and evade detection.

The arrest of Amir Rashid Ali has further strengthened the case, with officials alleging he conspired with Umar and travelled with module members to Faridabad and Kashmir as part of operational planning.

Probe Expands Nationwide

The NIA has so far examined 73 witnesses, including those injured in the blast. Raids are ongoing across Delhi, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, and other locations to trace the module’s handlers, funding routes, and planned targets.

“More arrests are expected in the coming days,” an official said.