More than a dozen people were killed earlier this week after a car bomb detonated in the heart of Delhi. Preliminary investigation has unearthed a coordinated ‘white collar terror module’ involving financing, recruitment, and systematic movement of weapons. The National Investigation Agency took over the case last week — arresting “active co-conspirator” Jasir Bilal Wani from Srinagar on Monday .
According to officials, Wani is a resident of Qazigund in Anantnag and provided technical support to suicide bomber Umar Nabi for the car bomb blast. He also worked to carry out terror attacks by modifying drones and attempting to make rockets. The agency said it was exploring “various angles” to unravel the conspiracy behind the November 10 blast in the national capital.
Death toll rises to 15
The death toll in the Delhi car blast case rose to 15 on Monday as two additional victims succumbed to their injuries. 50-year-old Lukmaan passed away on Sunday while Vinay Pathak died earlier today. The Delhi Police also said that post-mortem examinations would soon be conducted.
Key accused brought before court
The National Investigating Agency told a Delhi court on Monday that key accused Amir Rashid Ali had arranged a safe house and provided logistical support to “suicide bomber” Umar Nabi. The south Kashmir resident was brought to the court of Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna at the Patiala House courts complex amid tight security. Mediapersons were barred from entering the court premises, which virtually turned the proceedings ‘in-camera’.
According to NIA’s remand paper, Ali’s custodial interrogation was required to uncover the entire conspiracy.It said that Ali, the registered owner of the vehicle used in the incident, allegedly provided logistical support to Umar. The remand paper also claimed that Amir had arranged a safe house for Umar in the days leading up to the blast. It said that the blast’s precision and intensity had been deliberately designed to instil fear in the minds of the public, besides causing alarm and panic. Underscoring the seriousness of the alleged plot, it said that the act was intended to threaten and destabilise the nation’s sovereignty and unity.The agency also told the court that Ali would be taken to Kashmir for further investigation.
