Haryana preacher detained after 2,500kg explosive-making material seized from residence
What's the story
The Jammu and Kashmir Police have detained a preacher from Haryana's Mewat region in connection with the "white-collar" terror module. The preacher, identified as Maulvi Ishtiyaq, was living in rented accommodation on the Al Falah University campus in Faridabad. He has been taken to Srinagar for questioning and is likely to be formally arrested soon.
Blast connection
Explosives linked to Red Fort blast
It was at his residence the police discovered over 2,500 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate, and sulfur, which are commonly used in explosives. Per PTI, the explosive material was stored at his rented residence by Dr. Muzammil Ganaie, also known as Muzammil Shakeel and Dr. Mohammad Umar Nabi. Nabi was reportedly driving the white Hyundai i20 explosives-laden car, which detonated outside Red Fort on Monday evening, killing 13 people. Ishtiyaq's detention comes as the ninth arrest in the case.
Investigation progress
Pan-India probe
The investigation has so far unearthed a complex terror network with links to banned outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. On November 10, coordinated raids were conducted across Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to dismantle this network. In the wake of the discovery of the terror module in Faridabad, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Delhi Police, and National Investigation Agency (NIA) are now working together to connect what they call "critical terror dots" across several states, News18 reported.
Probe handover
Investigation into Delhi blast handed over to NIA
The investigation into the Delhi blast has now been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he has instructed security officials to "hunt down" each and every culprit behind the Delhi blast. "Everyone involved in this act will face the full wrath of our agencies," he said.