In the wake of the deadly car bomb attack near Delhi's Red Fort on November 10th, which claimed the lives of 13 people and injured 32, investigations have revealed a chilling plot by terrorists to carry out a Hamas-like attack using weaponized drones. The white-collar terror module involved in the Red Fort attack had been planning to modify drones to weaponize them and construct rockets for use in attacks, with the November 10th strike being just one component of a larger scheme.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been actively investigating the bombing, making key arrests and uncovering the broader terror network. On Monday, November 17th, the NIA arrested Jasir Bilal Wani, also known as Danish, in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. Wani, a resident of Qazigund in Anantnag district, is alleged to have provided technical support for the terror attacks, specifically modifying drones and attempting to make rockets. The NIA has identified Wani as an active co-conspirator who worked closely with Umar un Nabi, the alleged suicide bomber, to plan the attack.
Prior to Wani's arrest, the NIA apprehended Amir Rashid Ali, a resident of Kashmir, for facilitating the purchase of the car used in the November 10th bombing. Ali is accused of conspiring with Nabi in the attack. The NIA has also seized another vehicle belonging to Nabi, which is currently being examined for further evidence.
The investigation has revealed that the terror module had been preparing for coordinated terror strikes across at least six Indian cities since 2021. Digital evidence, handwritten diaries, and planning notes seized from the arrested suspects indicate that the blueprint for the six-city attack began four years ago, driven by a covert radicalization and recruitment campaign overseen by Pakistan-backed handlers. The recovered diaries contain explicit references to a “D-6 Mission”, including discussions on target selection, recruitment pitches, fund movements, and secure communication protocols.
In March 2022, members of the module traveled to Turkiye, where they met with ISI handler Abu Ukasha, a key figure in Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) foreign operations. This meeting is believed to have served as the "green signal" for the coordinated terror plot, accelerating a plan that had been quietly developing for years.
The module's targets included Ayodhya, India Gate, malls, and railway stations, with plans for multiple vehicle-borne IED explosions followed by assault rifle firing, reminiscent of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squads had previously foiled a planned chemical terror attack, arresting three suspects who allegedly intended to poison prasad with ricin, with Ayodhya also being a target in that plot.
The investigation into the Red Fort blast and the broader terror network is ongoing, with the NIA working in close coordination with the police of Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as various other agencies. So far, the NIA has examined 73 witnesses, including those injured in the blast, for clues. The arrest of Jasir Bilal Wani marks a significant step forward in unraveling the conspiracy behind the bombing and preventing future attacks.
