Delhi car blast case: Module was preparing Hamas-style attacks using drones and rockets, multi-city attack foiled News24 -

A week after the car bomb blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, investigators have uncovered alarming details about the terror module’s broader plans. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has revealed that the group was preparing to carry out multiple attacks across India, adopting tactics inspired by Hamas, notably the use of drones and rockets. Officials say the plan involved weaponising commercial drones equipped with small but powerful bombs, cameras, and large batteries, aiming to detonate explosives in crowded public places. This strategy closely mirrors the drone attacks Hamas executed on Israel in October 2023. The investigation took a significant turn with the arrest of Aamir Rashid Ali, a resident of Pampore in Kashmir, whose name was on the registration documents of the Hyundai i20 car used in the blast. Ali was detained in Delhi, and his capture has led to several breakthrough leads for the NIA. Alongside Ali, another key accused, Jasir Bilal Wani, alias Danish, from Qazigund in Anantnag district, was arrested and is currently being interrogated. Danish appears to have played a crucial role by providing technical support, modifying drones, attaching cameras and batteries, and rigging them with explosives. The NIA also confirmed that Danish was a close associate of Umar, the suicide bomber linked to the attack, who was arrested earlier in Srinagar. Investigators are exploring whether Umar Un Nabi, reportedly associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, operated as a 'shoe bomber' during these terror activities. This small but highly dangerous module was also working on developing small rockets to be used in future attacks, signaling an escalation in their operational capabilities. Security agencies highlighted that the use of drones for terror attacks is not novel but has been employed by groups like Hamas and ISIS across various conflict zones, including Syria, Iraq, Israel, and Afghanistan. A similar drone attack was recorded in 2021 at the Jammu Air Force Station, where terrorists reportedly dropped two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from drones. These incidents underline a growing trend in terror tactics where unmanned aerial vehicles are becoming tools for complex and coordinated attacks. The NIA’s findings underscore the evolving nature of threats facing India, with terrorists increasingly shifting towards technologically sophisticated methods. The foiled plan to carry out simultaneous attacks using drones and rockets across multiple cities could have resulted in mass casualties and widespread panic. Investigators continue to probe deeper into the network, tracking down additional members and uncovering the full extent of their plans. The arrests and ongoing interrogations mark a critical step towards dismantling this dangerous module and preventing further attacks.