Investigators probing the Delhi terror attack are tracking a “white-collar” terror module believed to be behind the deadly explosion near the historic Red Fort that claimed 13 lives and left several others injured. The attack was carried out by Dr Umar Nabi, a doctor who hails from Pulwama. He was behind the wheel of the car that blew up at the Subhash Marg traffic signal. Police have now filed a fresh FIR under sections of criminal conspiracy as they widen the investigation. The NIA, which took over the probe after the Centre called it a “terror attack”, has arrested Amir Rashid Ali in connection with the case.
According to agencies, nearly eight suspects were allegedly preparing a coordinated series of explosions across four locations, with each pair assigned to a specific target city. Preliminary findings suggest that these groups had planned to move in pairs, each carrying multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for simultaneous attacks. Dr Umar, who lived on the Al-Falah Medical College campus, is believed to be linked to this larger network.
Delhi Police have already arrested Dr Muzaffar Ahmad, Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather, Dr Muzamil Shakeel and Dr Shaheen Saeed for their alleged links to the Delhi terror attack and the National Medical Commission (NMC) has cancelled their registration. The cancellation, effective November 14, has been communicated to all State Medical Councils.
Security around the Red Fort has been significantly tightened since the blast, with authorities keeping a strict vigil over all entry points and surrounding areas. The gates of the Lal Quila Metro Station, which were closed, have now been reopened for commuters.
Delhi terror attack: Top 10 developments in the case
1- Amir Rashid Ali was arrested by the NIA and has been sent to 10-day NIA custody. The “slow-moving” Hyundai i20 car, which exploded at a traffic signal, was registered in his name. He is suspected of working with suicide bomber Dr Umar Nabi to execute the attack.
2- Faridabad Police have questioned at least 2,000 tenants and students living on rent to trace more links to the alleged “white-collar” terror module, with further questioning underway.
3- Delhi Police have issued two summons to the chairman of Al-Falah University, Javed Siddiqui, as part of investigations into the Faridabad terror module and forgery and cheating cases linked to the institution. His brother, Hamood Ahmed Siddiqui, also under scrutiny in the Delhi blast case, was arrested by Madhya Pradesh Police in Hyderabad for a decades-old financial fraud in Mhow.
4- It is to be noted that investigators traced one of the first module connections to Al-Falah University, where arms, explosives, ammonium nitrate, and other materials were recovered.
5- The probe has expanded across Delhi, Faridabad, and Jammu & Kashmir, as agencies work to identify all possible links connected to the blast and the wider module.
6- A Rs 20 lakh hawala trail linked to doctors Umar, Muzammil, and Shaheen has been uncovered by the investigators, suspected to have been routed by a Jaish-e-Mohammed handler. Around Rs 3 lakh was allegedly spent on buying 26 quintals of NPK fertiliser, a nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium-based chemical compound used in agriculture, which is also capable of producing explosives used in the blast.
7- Delhi Police sources on Sunday reportedly confirmed that three 9mm cartridges – two live and one empty – were recovered from the blast site. This firearm type is prohibited for civilian possession. A senior official said that despite the cartridge recovery, no pistol or any of its parts were found at the scene. Investigators are now trying to determine how these cartridges came to be there, whether the suspect possessed them. It has also added a new dimension to the ongoing investigation.
8- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the arrest of 21 individuals from various districts for posting online messages supporting the terrorists involved in the Delhi attack. The arrested individuals are from various districts in Assam, including Darrang, Goalpara, Nalbari, Chirang, Kamrup, Bongaigaon, Hailakandi, Lakhimpur, Barpeta, Hojai, South Salmara, Bajali, and Dhubri.
9- In a fresh development in the ongoing probe into the Delhi blast case, a team of the Faridabad Crime Branch on Sunday brought a young man to Al Falah University as part of a verification exercise. Investigation into the Faridabad terror module case is underway. The Crime Branch team arrived at the university campus and conducted inquiries related to the case.
10- Al-Falah University has distanced itself from accused, stating that the University has no connection beyond their official capacities, and that no questionable chemical or material is being used or stored on the University premises.