Red Fort blast attackers were planning Hamas style drone attacks in Delhi, say sources - BusinessToday

The investigation into the Red Fort blast has uncovered alarming details about the attackers' broader plans, revealing a sophisticated terror plot that extended beyond the eventual car bomb explosion. According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) found that the accused were initially trying to execute rocket bomb attacks across Delhi and other locations using modified drones. These drones were intended to carry rocket-based explosives, a tactic reminiscent of methods employed by militant groups like Hamas and ISIS, known for causing significant casualties and widespread fear in crowded urban areas. As the probe progressed, the NIA arrested key individuals linked to the conspiracy. One of the most significant arrests was that of Jasir Bilal Wani, a Jammu and Kashmir resident and political science graduate labeled as an "active co-conspirator." Wani's role was crucial since he provided technical expertise on modifying drones and attempted to develop the rocket-based explosives. His background included a period of deep radicalization, and he was reportedly being prepared as a suicide bomber. During interrogation, Wani revealed meetings with members of the so-called "Doctor module" at a mosque in Kulgam last October, followed by his relocation to a rented place near Al Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana, where detailed planning took place. Prior to Wani’s arrest, the probe had already detained another key figure, Amir, also from Kashmir, who allegedly procured the vehicle used by the suicide bomber, Dr Umar un Nabi. The investigation revealed that after the drone and rocket attack plans were abandoned, the group shifted to using a car bomb. The explosion occurred on a busy road in Delhi, executed via a Hyundai i20 packed with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). This attack resulted in 13 deaths and numerous injuries, marking a tragic culmination of the terror plot. The NIA linked this incident to a larger terror network described as "white-collar," involving multiple doctors and other individuals, with raids and arrests extending across regions including Kashmir, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. The discovery of explosives at Al Falah University just hours before the blast further points to the university’s shadowy role in the conspiracy. Investigators are currently analyzing digital evidence, communication trails, and procurement patterns to uncover other collaborators and assess the full extent of the drone-based attack plans. Authorities emphasized that the sophistication of this plot signals a worrying evolution in terror tactics, with urban centers in India facing threats increasingly characterized by the use of advanced technology. The involvement of technically skilled operatives and attempts to recruit more experts highlight a strategic shift towards high-tech terror operations. The ongoing investigation and the arrests represent a critical phase in dismantling this network, but they also underline the need for heightened vigilance and enhanced counter-terrorism measures in the future.