Red Fort Explosion: 2,900 Kg Explosives, Hawala Money, Foreign Handlers Unearthed

NEW DELHI-Investigations into the Red Fort blast that killed 12 people and injured dozens have revealed a sophisticated, white-collar terror network directly controlled by Pakistan’s ISI, but routed through Afghanistan, Turkey and other countries to mask Islamabad’s involvement.

Intelligence Bureau officials said the ISI deliberately kept all operational activity outside Pakistan, avoiding any direct link to handlers. The strategy was influenced by India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack under ‘Operation Sindoor’, and Pakistan’s fear of further scrutiny by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which could push it back into the Grey or Black List.

The ISI first recruited Maulvi Irfan Ahmed of Jammu and Kashmir to set up a terror module in Faridabad. A Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) cell, activated in 2021 in Afghanistan, provided handlers to guide Ahmed and others. The accused, including medical professionals, remained in constant touch with handlers based in Afghanistan in an attempt to dodge investigative trails leading to Pakistan.

A Turkey angle has also emerged. Jammu and Kashmir Police have sought a Red Corner Notice against Dr Muzaffar Rather, believed to be in Afghanistan. He, along with accused doctors Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie and Dr Umar Nabi, stayed in Turkey for 20 days in 2021 and is suspected to have met ISI-linked operatives. Turkey has denied that its soil is being used for radicalization or planning of attacks.

Sources have confirmed a financial trail as well. Dr Umar Mohammad, who was driving the Hyundai i20 that exploded near Red Fort Metro Gate No. 1 on November 10, received Rs 20 lakh through illegal hawala channels from JeM handlers. The money was allegedly shared among Umar, Muzammil and another accused doctor, Shaheen, leading to a dispute. Around Rs 3 lakh from this amount was used to buy fertilizers and other explosive materials.

Hours before the blast, security agencies in Faridabad seized 2,900 kg of explosives, including ammonium nitrate, from a location 50 km from Delhi. Investigators say the module was not meant for a single attack but was part of a larger ISI strategy to build multiple “white-collar modules” within India.

On November 16, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Amir Rashid Ali, a resident of Samboora, Pampore, whose name was used to purchase the vehicle used in the blast. The agency said Ali conspired with the alleged suicide bomber, Umar Un Nabi, an assistant professor at Al Falah University, Faridabad. The NIA has forensically confirmed Umar’s identity and seized another vehicle belonging to him.

The probe has so far examined 73 witnesses and continues in coordination with Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Police, along with central agencies. Officials say Pakistan has repeatedly used other countries — earlier Afghanistan, and now Bangladesh — to direct attacks on Indian soil.

Investigations are ongoing to expose the wider conspiracy and identify remaining operatives. (IANS)