NEW DELHI: Intelligence agencies have uncovered what they describe as a wider terror conspiracy linked to the deadly car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort that killed 13 people, revealing plans to rig 32 vehicles with explosives for coordinated attacks across multiple cities, news agency ANI reported.According to intelligence sources, the ongoing investigation widened after it was found that the accused had already begun modifying two vehicles — a Hyundai i20 and a Ford EcoSport — for possible use in the attacks.
Officials are now investigating whether other cars were being prepared as part of a broader plan to execute serial blasts.“After the i20 and EcoSport, it came to light that preparations were underway to ready 32 more old vehicles which could be fitted with explosives,” an intelligence source told ANI.ALSO READ | ‘Not every Kashmiri is a terrorist’: J&K CM reacts to Delhi car blast probe; condemns explosionInvestigators said around eight suspects were allegedly preparing to carry out coordinated explosions at four locations, working in pairs with each pair assigned to a specific city. Preliminary findings suggest that each group was to move with multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for simultaneous strikes.Among those under scrutiny are individuals already linked to earlier terror cases, including Red Fort blast accused Dr Muzammil, Dr Adeel, Dr Umar and Dr Shaheen.
Sources said the accused had collectively raised around Rs 20 lakh, which was handed over to Umar for operational expenses. The funds were allegedly used to buy more than 20 quintals of NPK fertiliser — a mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium — worth around Rs 3 lakh from Gurugram, Nuh and nearby areas, intended for the preparation of explosives.Investigators have also found that Umar created a private Signal group comprising two to four members to coordinate activities securely.According to probe agencies, Dr Muzammil became inclined towards Ansar Gazwat-ul-Hind, an offshoot of ISIS, between 2021 and 2022 after maintaining contact with associates of slain militants. He was introduced to the network by one Irfan, alias Maulvi. Weapons recovered in 2023 and 2024 are believed to have been procured by the module as part of efforts to form an independent terror group.Authorities said the group had been preparing to carry out the attacks in the near future and that the investigation is now focused on identifying the wider network involved.On Wednesday, Faridabad Police seized a red EcoSport (registration number DL 10 CK 0458) suspected to be linked to Dr Umar Un Nabi, the prime suspect in the Delhi blast case. The car was found parked near Khandawali village.ALSO READ | ‘Will call it blast’: Congress attacks Centre over delay in calling Delhi explosion ‘terror incident’; demands all-party meetDelhi Police on Thursday confirmed that the man who carried out the blast was Dr Umar after forensic DNA testing matched his biological sample with that of his mother.While speaking to ANI, senior police officials said the confirmation followed several days of detailed forensic analysis.A senior police officer said: “After the explosion, Umar’s leg was found trapped between the steering wheel and the accelerator of the car, suggesting he was behind the wheel when the car blasted.”“DNA profiling has conclusively identified the deceased as DrUmar Un Nabi. His sample was matched with his mother’s DNA to establish the relationship,” the officer added.On Wednesday, the DNA samples of Dr Umar’s mother and brother were collected and sent to the AIIMS forensic laboratory, where they were matched with the remains of the bodies kept at Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi.ALSO READ | Red Fort blast probe: Dr Adil flew from Srinagar to Delhi days before explosion; flight ticket recovered
