Red Fort blast: Probe reveals fissures in accused group

The probe into the Delhi blast case has revealed fissures in the terror group behind the incident, sources in the NIA claimed, adding that Dr Umar Nabi — the suicide bomber who exploded an i20 car outside the Red Fort — followed the ISIS “Daesh” module, while the rest of his associates followed the Al-Qaeda module.

They said this often led to clashes between them.

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The sources also said there were arguments over funds, specifically Rs 20 lakh received through hawala and Rs 40 lakh received from Jamat. In October, Umar went to Qazigund to resolve these internal disputes, but after some of his associates were arrested, he returned to Delhi.

The interrogation revealed that Umar had participated in the protests that took place after Burhan Wani’s death and wanted to take revenge for it. He was said to be extremely agitated after the abrogation of Article 370.

Since 2023, Umar had been researching IED devices and used to guide Dr Adeel and Dr Mozammil. He used to listen to anti-India speeches from Jaish gatherings. It was also revealed that Umar had learned Chinese in the past year and had created a separate group for communicating in Chinese.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has so far arrested six people in connection with the Red Fort blast case. Initially registered by Delhi Police, the case was later transferred to the NIA by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The NIA has confirmed that a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) was used in the Delhi blast by Umar Nabi.

He was driving the i20 car that was used as a VBIED, which exploded outside the Red Fort, killing at least 15 people and injuring over 30 others.

Separately, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police has registered two FIRs and issued two summons to Javed Ahmed Siddiqui, chairman of Al Falah University. Following the Delhi Police FIR, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also registered a Prevention of Money Laundering Act case and arrested Siddiqui.