The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Jasir Bilal Wani, an alleged ‘active co-conspirator’ of suicide bomber Umar un Nabi, in connection with the deadly car blast near the Red Fort that tragically claimed 13 lives. The arrest occurred on Monday in Srinagar as authorities work to dismantle a complex interstate network tied to the banned outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
Wani, a resident of Qazigund in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, faces serious accusations including providing technical support for terror operations. The NIA’s statement revealed that he helped modify drones and attempted to fabricate rockets in preparation for the blast that took place on November 10 in the national capital. Wani, also known by the alias Danish, played a vital role in the plot under Umar’s direction.
The NIA disclosed that its investigation seeks to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy behind the attack. Investigators are exploring various angles, conducting numerous searches across states to identify all individuals involved in this terror plot. Officials believe that Wani worked closely with Umar to devise the attack.
Wani’s interrogation revealed that he underwent intense radicalization. He stated that Umar had brainwashed him for months to consider becoming a suicide bomber. Wani met with the so-called “Doctor module” in October last year at a mosque in Kulgam before moving to a rented accommodation near Al Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana.
Initially, Wani was expected to serve as an over-ground worker (OGW) for JeM. However, Umar attempted to recruit him for a suicide attack. A significant turning point occurred in April this year when Wani withdrew, citing economic pressures and a belief that suicide was forbidden in Islam.
The investigation reveals that this suicide-bomber scouting effort reveals a dangerous new dimension to the ongoing probe into a sophisticated interstate terror network linked to JeM.
Umar, a 28-year-old doctor from Pulwama, emerged as a central figure in this radicalization network, which spans across Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Officials suspect he was orchestrating a VBIED (vehicle-borne improvised explosive device) attack. Reports suggest the attack was likely intended to coincide with the December 6 anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition.
Officials indicated Umar planned to place the bomb in a crowded location in Delhi or at a religious site and then escape unnoticed. Wani’s past interrogations revealed that Umar’s radicalization intensified following a trip to Turkiye in 2021 with co-accused Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie. During this trip, they allegedly interacted with JeM operatives.
Upon their return, Umar and Ganaie began acquiring significant quantities of chemicals. Investigators noted that they purchased 360 kg of ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and sulfur, which they stored near the university campus, intensifying concerns over a potential terror strike.
The December plot collapsed after the Srinagar Police launched an investigation which led to Ganaie’s arrest and the seizure of explosives. This incident likely panicked Umar, resulting in the premature Red Fort blast that killed 13 individuals.
The unraveling of this interstate network began on October 19 when JeM posters appeared on walls in Bunpora and Nowgam, near Srinagar. Following this, the police registered a case, scrutinized CCTV footage, and apprehended three locals—Arif Nisar Dar (alias Sahil), Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar (alias Shahid)—all of whom had documented records of stone-pelting.
Their questioning led to the arrest of former paramedic-turned-Imam, Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, from Shopian. Irfan allegedly supplied the posters that fueled radicalization among the doctors involved in this terror module.
