The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Jasir Bilal Wani, an alleged “active co-conspirator” linked to the suicide bomber Umar un Nabi, in connection with a deadly car blast near the Red Fort that claimed 13 lives on November 10. The arrest took place in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, as officials continue to explore the intricate connections of an interstate Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) network.
Wani, a resident of Qazigund in Anantnag district, faces serious allegations of providing technical support for terror operations. His actions reportedly included modifying drones and attempting to fabricate rockets in preparation for the blast. The NIA categorizes him as a significant figure in the planning stages of the attack, which shocked the nation and raised concerns over security in the capital.
According to NIA sources, Wani collaborated closely with Umar to execute the attack. The agency is aggressively pursuing various avenues to unravel the entire conspiracy surrounding the tragic explosion, with multiple teams dispatched across state lines to identify all associated individuals.
A graduate in political science, Wani revealed during interrogations that he had undergone severe radicalization by Umar, who brainwashed him for several months, aiming to convert him into a suicide bomber. Reports indicate that he initially encountered the “Doctor module” at a mosque in Kulgam last year, leading to his recruitment into this dangerous network which also spans parts of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The plan was to use Wani as an over-ground worker for the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed, but he backed away from becoming a suicide bomber earlier this year. He cited economic hardships and concerns about the Islamic perspective on suicide as primary reasons for his withdrawal.
Investigators regard this situation as a perilous addition to the ongoing examination of a sophisticated interstate terror network associated with JeM. This complex web of individuals illustrates the deep roots of radicalization within society.
Umar, a 28-year-old doctor based in Pulwama, is identified as the central figure in this widening network. Authorities believe he was preparing a potent vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) aimed at a crowded location in Delhi or near a significant religious site around the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition on December 6. His strategic intention involved planting the bomb and then vanishing, which heightens the gravity of the situation.
Wani’s interrogation also uncovered that Umar’s radicalization intensified after a trip to Turkiye in 2021 with co-accused Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie. During this trip, they reportedly established contact with JeM operatives. Following their return, both began acquiring large quantities of chemicals, including 360 kg of ammonium nitrate, which were later discovered stored near their university campus, raising alarms.
The plot for December started to fall apart after the authorities arrested Ganaie and recovered explosives during a separate investigation. It appears this success triggered a state of panic in Umar, resulting in the premature execution of the Red Fort blast.
The investigation into the interstate network’s existence began to gain traction on October 19, when JeM posters surfaced in Bunpora and Nowgam, close to Srinagar. This discovery led to a police inquiry, which analyzed CCTV footage and subsequently resulted in the arrest of three locals with histories of stone-pelting.
The apprehension of these individuals prompted further investigations, leading to the arrest of Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic turned Imam from Shopian. He reportedly played a vital role in disseminating radical propaganda and is believed to have significantly influenced the doctors involved in this alarming terror module.
