The Delhi bombings were a direct terrorist attack. The central government has confirmed this. Investigating agencies have now successfully pieced together several key pieces of the story behind the blast.

A university in Faridabad, the recovery of 2,900 kilograms of explosives, and a few hours later, a powerful car bomb blast near the Red Fort killed 13 people. In the three days since November 10, eight people have been arrested and several others detained. Amid the ongoing turmoil, information has emerged, sometimes confusing and sometimes contradictory. Agencies are connecting links in Kashmir, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh to unravel a terrorist plot centered around three doctors from South Kashmir. Here's what we know so far, based on what officials have revealed.

The role of 'white collar' terror modules

Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganai, alias Musaib, is one of the most dramatic figures in the interstate "white-collar" terrorist module orchestrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed. On the morning of November 10th, police reported the seizure of 360 kilograms of ammonium nitrate from Ganai's rented house at Al Falah University in Faridabad, where he worked. Ganai hails from Koil village in Pulwama district, South Kashmir.

Soon after, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, which is coordinating the operation with police from various states, said 2,900 kg of explosives were recovered from the university and its surrounding areas and a 'white-collar' terror module was busted.

The three 'doctors' of the conspiracy

• Dr. Umar Nabi: 28-year-old Umar, a resident of Qazigund in South Kashmir, was driving the car that exploded on the evening of November 10th. His involvement was confirmed after DNA samples from his mother matched those found at the scene. Umar also worked for Al Falah and is believed to be the most radicalized.
• Dr. Muzaffar Rather: Police are also searching for Muzaffar, a resident of Qazigund and associated with Al Falah University. He came under the scanner after questioning those arrested. The arrested told investigators that Umar, Ganai, and Muzaffar traveled to Turkey for 18 days in 2021. Muzaffar left India in August and is believed to be in Afghanistan. Police have contacted Interpol to issue a Red Corner Notice against him. He said the "white-collar" terrorist module was run by the three and they used the Telegram platform to communicate with their handlers in Pakistan.
• Dr. Shaheen Saeed: Shaheen, a Lucknow doctor, was aware of the conspiracy being hatched by the three doctors. Shaheen is the only one among the eight arrested who is not a Kashmiri. She was aware of the logistics being systematically collected ahead of the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition on December 6th. Shaheen told investigators that the three doctors helped expand the network and recruited others. This included Maulvi Ishtiaq from Haryana, who is in the custody of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, whose rented premises in Al Falah was also used to store explosives.

Where did the conspiracy come from?

On the night of October 18-19, posters of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed appeared on walls outside Srinagar city. These posters warned of attacks on police and security forces in the Valley. Srinagar police took the matter seriously. A case was registered against unknown individuals and a team was formed to investigate the matter thoroughly. Three people—Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmed Dar alias Shahid—were arrested after CCTV footage showed them pasting the posters.

How to reach Faridabad from Shopian

During interrogation, they named Maulvi Irfan Ahmed, a Shopian resident, as the one who provided the posters. Irfan previously worked as a paramedic and was arrested. He was the source that uncovered the conspiracy. It was through Irfan's interrogation that investigators finally reached Al Falah University and a group of Kashmiri doctors.

Officials stated that Irfan also played a key role in radicalizing Ganai, Umar, and Muzaffar. They stated that the three had purchased small quantities of ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and sulfur from the open market and began storing them. Meanwhile, Muzaffar's brother, Dr. Adil Rather, was arrested from Saharanpur on November 7. An AK-56 rifle and other ammunition were seized from his locker at Anantnag Hospital. His role is still unclear.

Role of Al Falah University

Located in Dhauj village in Faridabad, adjacent to Delhi, the university began as an engineering college in 1997. Spread across 76 acres, the university now houses a medical college, a 650-bed hospital, and a medical science and research center. Three other colleges operate within the campus: Al Falah School of Engineering and Technology, Brown Hill College of Engineering and Technology, and Al Falah School of Education and Training. Police have so far seized three cars belonging to the accused from Faridabad and surrounding areas.

PC:NBT