The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday revealed that the terror module responsible for the deadly blast near Delhi’s Red Fort had been preparing for a much larger series of attacks, including Hamas-style drone strikes and rocket-based explosions. The agency also arrested another Kashmiri resident allegedly linked to the conspiracy.
The blast on November 10 in the old quarters of Delhi has so far claimed at least 15 lives.
NIA: Module Was Building Rockets, Weaponised Drones
According to the NIA, the Jaish-linked module was in the process of manufacturing small rockets intended for serial blasts across multiple locations. The group allegedly drew inspiration from Hamas’s October 2023 assault on Israel, in which drones and aerial weapons were used for large-scale disruption.
Investigators said the Delhi module planned to deploy similar tactics, modifying drones to carry cameras, batteries, and small but high-impact explosives capable of causing mass casualties in crowded areas.
The weaponised drones were to be flown over densely populated zones to trigger blasts remotely, the NIA said. Such tactics have been widely used by Hamas and armed militias in conflict zones like Syria.
Second Arrest From Kashmir: Wani Provided Technical Support
The NIA confirmed the arrest of Jasir Bilal Wani, also known as Danish, from Kashmir. He is the second person taken into custody after suicide bomber Umar Nabi, who drove the explosive-laden vehicle that detonated near the Red Fort.
Wani allegedly provided technical assistance to the terror module, including modifying drones for attack missions and experimenting with rocket-making.
“NIA’s investigation has revealed that Wani had provided technical support for carrying out terror attacks by modifying drones and attempting to make rockets ahead of the deadly car bomb blast,” the agency said in a statement.
The NIA also stated that Nabi had instructed Wani to prepare for a fidayeen (suicide) attack, and that the two had first met at a mosque in Kashmir, where Nabi allegedly radicalised him.
Plot Foiled After Module Busted
Investigators said the planned drone attacks were thwarted after the module was exposed and its key operatives arrested. The agency believes the cells were working toward launching a multi-stage attack designed to create widespread panic and destruction similar to high-profile attacks carried out by global terror organisations.
The probe continues, with the NIA tracking additional leads related to drone procurement, digital radicalisation, and cross-border handlers.
(Source: Firstpost)
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