The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested another key conspirator in the November 10 Red Fort blast, tightening its investigation into a sophisticated terror module operating across multiple states.
The arrested suspect, 20-year-old Jasir Bilal Wani, also known as Danish, is a resident of Qazigund in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. According to investigators, Wani provided crucial technical assistance to the group, including modifying drones and attempting to design rudimentary rocket systems.
Officials say Wani worked closely with Umar un Nabi, the suicide attacker who drove the explosive-laden vehicle that detonated near the Red Fort. His technical knowledge allegedly helped strengthen the module&rsquo;s strike capabilities.
This is the NIA&rsquo;s second consecutive arrest, following the detention of Amir Rashid Ali, a plumber from Kashmir who owned the vehicle used in the attack.
Wani, a Bachelor of Science student at Degree College Lawdora, was first detained by the J&amp;K Police and later handed over to the NIA. He lived near Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather, another accused already in custody.
In a tragic turn, Wani&rsquo;s father, Bilal Ahmad, attempted self-immolation outside the police station after failing to meet his detained sons and succumbed to his injuries. Wani had been picked up along with his uncle, Nazir Ahmad Wani, a physics lecturer.
Investigators say Wani met several members of the group at a mosque in Kulgam and later travelled to Faridabad, where parts of the IED and other weapons were allegedly assembled in a rented flat near Al-Falah University.
Probes indicate that Umar had tried to persuade Wani to become a suicide bomber, and the two had been planning coordinated attacks for over a year. Wani eventually withdrew, citing financial distress and religious prohibitions.
<h3 dir="ltr">Encrypted communication and weapon movement</h3>
The investigation has revealed a tightly structured network communicating through encrypted platforms, with members operating under a strict division of roles. A Signal channel created by Umar served as the central communication hub for at least four core members: Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganaie, Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather, Muzaffar Rather and Molvi Irfan.
The probe accelerated after a weapons haul from the car of Dr Shaheen Shahid, which included a foreign-made rifle and a pistol. Tracing the trail led investigators back to 2024, when Umar procured the weapons and handed them to cleric Molvi Irfan, considered a key recruiter.
Officials say three medical professionals, Muzammil, Shaheen and Adeel, were responsible for finances, with Muzammil at the centre. Umar focused on scouting and preparing young men for suicide missions.
One incident from October 2023 shows Adeel and Umar visiting Irfan at a mosque with a concealed rifle. Weeks later, the same weapon was moved again between members, signalling a deliberate distribution of responsibilities to avoid detection.
The arrest of Amir Rashid Ali has added further clarity. Officials say he conspired with Umar to execute the vehicle-borne IED attack and travelled with the module&rsquo;s members to both Faridabad and Kashmir.
So far, investigators have questioned 73 witnesses, including those injured in the blast. More arrests are expected as NIA expands its nationwide raids to identify external handlers, money channels and potential targets.

NIA arrests a 20-year-old tech aide in the Red Fort blast case as the terror network widen

Red Fort Blast Probe: NIA Arrests Key Conspirator

NIA arrests a 20-year-old tech aide in the Red Fort blast case as the terror network widen

November 18, 2025 | 14:45 IST