New Delhi – The Red Fort blast arrests expanded significantly on Thursday as the National Investigation Agency formally arrested four key conspirators in the November 10 suicide attack case. This development brings the agency’s total arrests to six suspects, marking substantial progress in dismantling what investigators describe as a sophisticated “white-collar” terror module that orchestrated the devastating attack near Delhi’s iconic monument.
Four Key Suspects Formally Arrested
The latest Red Fort blast arrests involve four individuals identified as Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganai of Pulwama, Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather of Anantnag, Dr Shaheen Saeed of Lucknow, and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay of Shopian. All four suspects had been earlier detained and subsequently arrested by Jammu & Kashmir Police as part of a nationwide crackdown targeting the sophisticated terror network responsible for the attack.
These Red Fort blast arrests are considered particularly significant because investigators believe each suspect played a direct role in planning and executing the suicide attack that claimed at least 12 lives. The formal arrest by NIA represents a crucial step in the legal proceedings against the accused conspirators and enables deeper investigation into the terror network’s operations.
Court Grants 10-Day NIA Custody
Following the Red Fort blast arrests, the suspects were transported to custody in Srinagar on production warrants issued by a Patiala House Court judge. The NIA had requested 15 days of custodial interrogation to thoroughly investigate the conspiracy’s full scope, but the court granted 10 days’ custody for questioning and evidence gathering.
This custodial period granted after the Red Fort blast arrests will enable investigators to extract critical information about the planning, financing, and execution of the attack. The interrogation is expected to reveal details about the terror module’s organizational structure, communication methods, and potential connections to other extremist networks operating in the region.
Significance of Latest Arrests
A senior NIA official described the Red Fort blast arrests as “among the most significant” since the probe was handed over to the agency shortly after the November 10 explosion. The official emphasized that these arrests represent major breakthrough in understanding the conspiracy’s operational framework and identifying key players in the terror network.
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Prior to these Red Fort blast arrests, the agency had apprehended Amir Rashid Ali, identified as the registered owner of the car used in the explosion, and Jasir Bilal Wani alias Danish, who allegedly provided technical and logistical support to the bomber. The addition of four more suspects demonstrates the expanding scope of the investigation and the complex nature of the terror conspiracy.
Faridabad IED Assembly Workshop Uncovered
Investigators revealed that several suspects involved in the Red Fort blast arrests, including Dr Muzammil and Dr Shaheen, lived in a rented home in Faridabad that allegedly doubled as an improvised explosive device assembly workshop. This discovery provides crucial insight into how the terror module operated with relative anonymity in a residential area of the National Capital Region.
Security agencies conducting searches related to the Red Fort blast arrests recovered large quantities of explosive chemicals and assorted weapons from premises linked to the group. These recoveries corroborate investigator theories that the attack was meticulously planned and that the conspirators had established a sophisticated infrastructure for manufacturing explosive devices.
Multi-Agency Response and Coordination
The suicide attack that precipitated the Red Fort blast arrests was carried out mere meters from one of Delhi’s most iconic monuments, triggering an immediate multi-agency response. Sweeping raids were conducted across Delhi-NCR and Jammu & Kashmir as security forces worked to identify and apprehend members of the terror module responsible for the carnage.
Officials involved in the Red Fort blast arrests believe the November 10 blast was part of a larger conspiracy aiming to stage coordinated strikes in the capital. This assessment has intensified the investigation and prompted enhanced security measures across Delhi and surrounding regions to prevent potential follow-up attacks.
White-Collar Terror Module Profile
The Red Fort blast arrests have exposed what investigators term a “white-collar” terror module, distinguishing it from traditional militant operations. The involvement of educated professionals, including doctors, in planning and executing the attack represents a concerning evolution in terror tactics and recruitment patterns.
This sophisticated nature of those involved in the Red Fort blast arrests raises questions about radicalization pathways among educated professionals and the challenges security agencies face in identifying potential threats within seemingly mainstream communities. The module’s ability to operate undetected while assembling explosives in residential areas highlights gaps in existing surveillance mechanisms.
Tracing Chain of Command
NIA officials familiar with the investigation indicated that the Red Fort blast arrests mark substantial progress in tracing the conspiracy’s chain of command. The agency is working closely with state police forces to identify and apprehend every member of the terrorist module involved in orchestrating the deadly attack.
Investigators pursuing leads from the Red Fort blast arrests stated that more arrests may follow as interrogation of the accused continues and leads from digital evidence and forensic analysis are pursued. The agency expects to seek further custodial remand for the latest detainees as it works to piece together the full contours of the plot.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Actions
The Red Fort blast arrests represent an important milestone, but investigators acknowledge that substantial work remains in fully dismantling the terror network. Digital forensics, financial tracking, and communication analysis are being employed to map the complete network and identify any remaining conspirators or support structures.
As the Red Fort blast arrests investigation continues, security agencies remain vigilant about potential threats and are conducting extensive background checks on associates of the arrested suspects. The goal is to prevent any future attacks and ensure that everyone involved in the November 10 conspiracy faces justice for their roles in the deadly assault.
