The Delhi blast investigation has taken a new turn, with the NIA examining how accused suicide bomber Dr Umar interacted with female patients during hospital duty. Fresh arrests, a recovered grinder, and new testimonies are helping investigators piece together the network behind the November 10 attack.
File image: Dr Umar un Nabi | Pic courtesy: IANS
The National Investigation Agency revisited Al Falah University on Thursday as part of its ongoing investigation into the November 10 blast, conducting further enquiries linked to the activities of the accused associated with the institution.
During the renewed search, investigators recovered a grinder from Room No 15, the same room earlier connected to the seizure of 360 kg of explosive material.
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The agency has also detained Shabbir, a driver from Faridabad, for examination. According to officials familiar with the probe, Shabbir told investigators that the grinder had been bought by Dr Muzammil, who had said he intended to gift it for his sister’s wedding. Shabbir further stated that Dr Muzammil shifted the grinder to Room No 15 the following day.
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The blast on November 10 inside a moving Hyundai i20 near the Red Fort Metro Station killed 15 people and injured more than two dozen. The vehicle was being driven by Dr Umar Un Nabi, identified as one of the suicide bombers.
Sources connected to the investigation said that, separately from the technical findings, officials are also looking into accounts about the conduct of the accused suicide bomber, Dr Umar, during his time at a hospital.
“Dr Umar used to question female patients about wearing the Hijab and their prayers while he was treating them at a hospital,” said the source, as cited by news agency UNI.
“He is reported to have asked patients, ‘Why is your head not properly covered?’ and ‘How many times do you offer Namaz?'”
Earlier, a self-recorded video made by Umar had come to light, in which he attempted to justify the act as a “martyrdom operation”.
In the video, he is heard saying, “One of the very misunderstood concepts is the concept of suicide bombing; it is a martyrdom operation; as it has been known in Islam… There are multiple contradictions and arguments that have been brought against it — martyrdom operation.”
He went on to add that such an act is “when a person presumes that he is going, for sure, to die at a particular place and time.”
Investigators believe the recording offers insight into his state of mind and suggests he may have intended the video to influence or persuade others.
The NIA recently arrested four more accused: Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganai of Pulwama, Dr Shaheen Saeed of Lucknow, Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather of Anantnag, and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay of Shopian.
Earlier arrests include Amir Rashid Ali, the registered owner of the car, and Jasir Bilal Wani, alias Danish, who investigators say provided technical support.
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