Foreign handler shared Delhi blast suspect '42 DIY bomb-making videos'
What's the story
A foreign handler, linked to the doctors of Faridabad's Al Falah Medical College and accused in the Red Fort blast case, allegedly sent 42 bomb-making videos to Muzammil Ahmad Ganai, one of the arrested doctors from the university, investigators told The Indian Express. Ganai was a colleague and associate of Umar Nabi, who carried out the blast near Red Fort. The blast killed 14 people and injured over 20 others.
Investigation progress
Handlers' identities under scrutiny in Delhi blast case
The three handlers, identified as "Hanzullah," "Nisar," and "Ukasa," are now under investigation by security agencies for possible links to other DIY bombings in India, sources told the paper. The person behind the pseudonym "Hanzullah" is accused of sending over 40 bomb-making videos to Dr. Ganai, who allegedly provided storage for explosives used by the Faridabad module. Dr. Ganai was arrested 10 days before the blast, and over 2,500kg of explosive material was recovered from his rented accommodations.
New lead
Foreign handler Faisal emerges as key suspect
Another foreign handler, Mohammed Shahid Faisal, who goes by pseudonyms such as "Colonel," "Laptop Bhai," and "Bhai," has also emerged as a key suspect. He is believed to have been in touch with terror modules in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu since 2020. Faisal is suspected to be connected to several bombings, including the Coimbatore car suicide bomb blast on October 23, 2022, and the Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast of March 1, 2024.
Profile details
Faisal's background and potential links to other incidents
Faisal, an engineering graduate from Bengaluru, went missing in 2012 after being linked to a terror plot involving young professionals. He is now suspected to be based on the Syria-Turkey border. His identity was established during the NIA probe into the Rameshwaram Cafe blast. Investigators are now looking into possible connections between the Delhi incident and recent bombings in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu through remote handlers like Faisal.
Case comparison
Similarities between Red Fort blast and Coimbatore incident
Of all the attacks, the Red Fort blast bears the closest similarities to the Coimbatore car suicide bomb blast of October 23, 2022, according to the Indian Express report. In both cases, DIY bomb-making techniques were used. A Maruti 800 car bought second-hand was used in the Coimbatore explosion, which killed Jamesha Mubin. Investigators also found materials related to DIY bomb-making techniques at Mubin's properties during searches.