Red Fort blast-suspects conducted multiple recces; planned Diwali attack: Reports
What's the story
Dr. Muzammil Shakeel, who was arrested in connection with the Jaish terror module, passed by Delhi's Red Fort several times before the blast, according to officials. Phone data reportedly recovered from Shakeel revealed that he had been to the area several times in January. Authorities are investigating whether he and his associate Mohammad Umar conducted reconnaissance of Red Fort as part of their terrorist activities. Umar is believed to be in the car that exploded near Red Fort, killing 13.
Diwali
Planned attack on Diwali
According to NDTV sources, Shakeel has been confronted with information retrieved from his phone's data dump. During questioning, Shakeel stated that there was an attack planned for January 26 of next year. The sources also claimed that Shakeel told the cops that they had planned to attack a crowded place during Diwali but were unable to carry it out.
Probe
Pan-India probe
In the wake of the Red Fort Metro Station blast and the discovery of a terror module in Faridabad, security agencies have launched a major investigation. The Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), Delhi Police, and National Investigation Agency (NIA) are now working together to connect what they call "critical terror dots" across several states, News18 reported. This coordinated operation is likely to become a pan-India probe with simultaneous raids planned in different cities.
Investigation progress
Suspects operating off the radar of agencies
According to channel sources, investigators are surprised by the level of planning and stealth adopted by the suspects. "These individuals appear to have taken their time, working quietly and completely off the radar of the agencies," intelligence sources said. Initial forensic and digital analysis have uncovered encrypted communication channels and coded funding routes leading back to Kashmir.
Terror link
Possible links to Jaish-e-Mohammed
The findings have intensified suspicions that the operation could be linked to the ideology of Jaish-e-Mohammed or similar extremist groups. Investigators are still verifying exact affiliations, but top sources told the news channel that "this might not be directly Jaish, but the ideological inspiration and training patterns are clearly aligned." A key handler, suspected to be a central link between multiple modules, is believed to have traveled abroad recently for training and operational guidance.
Radicalization timeline
Online radicalization and indoctrination
Preliminary inputs suggest that the radicalization process started around 18 to 24 months back. Investigators have identified an online preacher, Irfan Maulvi, as a potential groomer who allegedly used digital platforms to radicalize educated youth. This digital indoctrination is believed to have played a major role in motivating members of both the Faridabad module and suspects linked to the Red Fort blast.