Blasts Jolt Delhi!

There are multiple theories afloat in the aftermath of the Delhi blasts (November 10) which claimed thirteen lives, injured many. 

 There is no direct evidence yet of Pakistan’s complicity, still the possibility of its hand in this dastardly terror assault can not be altogether ruled out. Judging by the pattern and the modus operandi, it would appear a handiwork of the infamous Jaish-e-Mohammand (JeM) which had carried out innumerable terror attacks in India.

It may be recapitulated that founded 25 years ago, JeM is a Deobandi-jihadist Pakistani created terror group active in Kashmir. The group's main           motive is to separate J&K from India and integrate it into Pakistan.  It portrays Kashmir as a "gateway" to the entire India. It maintains close relations and         alliances with the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen,  Ansar  Ghazwat-ul-Hind, Indian Mujahideen. JeM was known to have come into being with the support of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which is using it to carry out terrorist attacks in Kashmir and in rest of India.

Due to sustained international pressure against Pakistan sponsored terrorism, JeM was banned in Pakistan in 2002 merely as a formality. However, the organization was never seriously disrupted or dismantled. Its arrested leaders were subsequently released without any charges and permitted to reform under new names. Its variants openly continue to operate under different names or charities in several facilities in Pakistan. The group was responsible for several attacks: the 2001 attack on J&K legislative assembly, the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack, the 2016 attack on the Indian Mission in Mazar-i-Sharif, the 2016 Uri attack, and the 2019 Pulwama attack, leading to strategic consequences for India–Pakistan relations.

The Delhi blast of November 10 clearly bears the footprint of JeM. The preliminary investigations, point out as the investigating agencies are piecing together all the leads.  There is a strong  possibility of the hands of JeM and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. 

Meanwhile, the  investigators  probing car blasts near Delhi’s Red Fort uncovered a complex “white-collar” terror network involving several doctors, two of whom had travelled to Turkey and were allegedly radicalized there. Officials claim the group had planned multiple attacks in the capital, including one around the Republic Day, and had earlier considered striking on the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition on December 6. They are known to have conducted multiple reconnaissance of the area around the monument.

Meanwhile, according to investigating agencies, the module centred in Faridabad and linked to banned outfits JeM and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind had stockpiled nearly 3,000 kilograms of explosive chemicals across the States of J&K, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The car that exploded near the Red Fort, was being driven by Dr Umar Nabi, a 28-year-old physician from Pulwama, who is believed to have been killed in the blast.  Meanwhile, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) suggests that the device contained Ammonium Nitrate mixed with a petroleum-based fuel oil, a combination commonly used in Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). However, laboratory scientists also found traces of a stronger, as yet unidentified explosive compound, indicating a modified or unconventional formulation. Over 40 items, including live rounds and cartridge cases, were also recovered from the scene. A senior forensic expert said, one of the samples chemically resembles Ammonium Nitrate, but another sample points to a higher-grade explosive material. Further tests are underway to confirm its composition.

Officials say the investigation has uncovered evidence that key suspects Dr Umar Nabi and Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, both associated with Faridabad’s Al-Falah University, were radicalized after travelling to Turkiye in 2021. Their passports confirm the trip, undertaken shortly after they joined Telegram groups allegedly run by handlers linked to Pakistan based JeM operative Umar bin Khattab. Investigators also found that the module had considered staging an attack during Diwali but failed to execute it. Digital data retrieved from mobile towers and CCTV footage also shows that Nabi and Ganaie conducted multiple surveys around the Red Fort area in early January, mapping security patrols and crowd density.

According to officials, Nabi’s original plan was to stage a major explosion around December 6, marking the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary. However, the plan began to fall apart after J&K Police arrested Dr Ganaie on charges of putting up posters supporting JeM in Srinagar on October 19. CCTV footage showed Ganaie and several others involved in the act. That arrest led to the discovery of 360 kilograms of Ammonium Nitrate from his rented accommodation in Faridabad and exposed the inter-state terror network.

Officials, in the meantime, believe that Nabi panicked after watching a Faridabad police officer on television on November 10 announcing the recovery of nearly 2,900 kilograms of explosives linked to the module. He is thought to have driven to Old Delhi, parked his car near Sunehri Masjid, and spent nearly three hours before setting out toward the Red Fort.

Eight people have so far been arrested in connection with the case. Seven of them are from J&K: Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil; Yasir-ul-Ashraf; Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid; Maulvi Irfan Ahmad; Zameer Ahmad Ahanger alias Mutlasha; Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie alias Musaib; and Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather. The eighth, Dr Shaheen Sayeed, is from Lucknow.

The Special Cell of Delhi Police has detained a Faridabad based car dealer and instructed all used car dealerships across Delhi and adjoining states to verify and share recent sale records. Al-Falah University, distancing itself from the case, issued a statement (November 12) saying it was “deeply anguished by the unfortunate developments” and that it had only a professional association with the two doctors. “The university stands in solidarity with the nation,” the statement added.

Forensic teams have collected over 40 samples from the blast site. Preliminary findings confirm the presence of Ammonium Nitrate, Potassium Chlorate, and Sulphur, the same materials recovered from the Faridabad site linked to the accused.

Sources involved in the investigation say further that the Red Fort explosion could have been part of a series of coordinated strikes inspired by the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The discovery of large quantities of explosive material, combined with reconnaissance data and digital evidence, indicates that the network was preparing for multiple high impact operations. Police and central agencies are now examining whether other members of the group, who may still be at large, have access to similar materials or equipment. Officials are also verifying financial transactions and encrypted communications exchanged through Telegram and other messaging platforms used by the module.

Judging by these developments, it appears there is a huge challenge now before the Indian security agencies to deal with the problem. This includes immediate ascertaining details of individuals or groups belonging to Muslim Brotherhood (MB) and other outfits which led to the key accused Dr Umar Nabi and Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie  who visited Turkiye.  Also, identify local sleeper cells and extremist groups’ involving in brainwashing activities in India. The central and state agencies must work in concert and in a well-coordinated manner to bust the modules active likely in almost every part of India as evident  in the arrests in this case even in remote places like Muzaffarnagar, Lakhimpur Kheri, Mhow etc.  Similarly, our external Intelligence agencies must step up with renewed vigor to find out the sources of funding, radicalization etc emanating from across the frontiers.  Given the experience and capabilities of our agencies, it is hoped that these expectations would be met sooner than later to prevent any recurrence of the November 10 type incident.

 
Dr. Shantanu Mukharji is a retired IPS officer and former National Security Advisor
in Mauritius.