Red Fort blast plot was hatched in 2023: Report
What's the story
The ongoing investigation into the Delhi blast case has uncovered a plot by the Jaish-linked white-collar terror module to carry out blasts in many Indian cities. According to a report by NDTV, one of the accused in the Red Fort blast, Dr. Muzammil Shakeel, told the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that he had been preparing for this attack for two years. The blast, which killed 15 people, occurred near the Red Fort in an i20 car.
Procurement details
Doctor's role in procuring explosives and materials
The report said that the doctor was assigned to get urea and ammonium nitrate, a compound that can explode when mixed with combustible materials. Dr. Shakeel bought 26 quintals of NPK fertilizer from Gurugram and Nuh in Haryana. He also purchased electronic components from two markets in Faridabad. A deep freezer was bought to store chemicals safely. His associate, Umar Mohammad, who blew himself up with the i20, processed the fertilizer for explosives and arranged other ingredients.
Financial disputes
Funding and internal conflicts within the terror module
The Delhi blast conspiracy, sources told NDTV, was self-funded by the accused themselves, who raised ₹26 lakh for explosives. Umar contributed ₹2 lakh, while Muzammil gave ₹5 lakh. Other members also chipped in with their contributions, including Adil Rather with ₹8 lakh, Muzaffar Rather with ₹6 lakh, and Shaheen Saeed with ₹5 lakh. A fight over money at Al Falah University led to Umar giving Muzammil his Red EcoSport car, which was later recovered from Faridabad.
Global links
Doctor's confession reveals international connections and future plans
Muzammil has also admitted to buying an AK-47 rifle for ₹6.5 lakh, which was recovered from Adil Rather's locker, the report added. He also revealed the names of his and Umar's handlers, Mansoor and Hashim. The handlers were operating under the orders of a man named Ibrahim, sources said. The Indian Express earlier reported that a foreign handler allegedly sent 42 bomb-making videos to Muzammil.
Cases
Similarities between Red Fort blast and Coimbatore incident
Investigators also said that the Red Fort blast bears close 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 later found materials related to DIY bomb-making techniques at Mubin's properties during searches.