Security forces demolish Delhi bomber Umar Mohammad's house in Kashmir
What's the story
The house of Umar Mohammed, the alleged perpetrator of the recent Delhi car blast, has been demolished by security forces. The demolition took place in Pulwama, South Kashmir, during the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. The incident comes after a car explosion near Red Fort on November 10 killed 13 people and injured over 20 others.
Identification process
Umar was radicalized over the last 2 years
Umar was driving a Hyundai i20 packed with explosives during the blast. His identity was confirmed after DNA samples from the blast site matched those of his mother. Investigators say that Umar, who worked as a doctor at Al-Falah University in Faridabad, had been radicalized over the last two years and had joined several extremist messaging groups on social media.
Ongoing investigation
Arrest of Umar's associates
The investigation into the blast has also led to the arrest of Umar's associates, Muzammil and Shaheen Saeed, both doctors. The duo is being interrogated over a conspiracy to stockpile explosives in Faridabad. Authorities have recovered around 2,900kg of bomb-making material from them, along with advanced weapons like assault rifles.
Symbolic action
Strong message to those supporting terrorist activities
The demolition of Umar's house is seen as a strong message to those supporting terrorist activities in India. This move comes after similar bulldozer actions against individuals involved in the Pahalgam terror attack plot. In April, at least nine residential houses were demolished by the forces across Kashmir, Al Jazeera reported. The Delhi blast and the recovery of explosives indicate that terrorist outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed are now recruiting highly educated professionals, including doctors, for their operations.