The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made another arrest in connection with the Delhi car blast case that occurred last month, bringing the total number of arrests to eight. Dr. Bilal Naseer Malla, a doctor from Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir, was apprehended in Delhi on Tuesday. He is accused of harboring Dr. Umar-un-Nabi, the suspected suicide bomber, and playing a role in the destruction of evidence related to the terror attack.
The NIA, which is investigating the "white-collar" terror module behind the November 10th blast near the Red Fort, alleges that Dr. Malla knowingly provided logistical support and shelter to Dr. Umar-un-Nabi. The explosion resulted in the deaths of 15 people and left several others injured.
According to the NIA, Dr. Malla was also involved in the larger conspiracy behind the deadly attack. The agency stated that Dr. Malla is accused of destroying evidence linked to the case.
In a statement, the NIA said, "Bilal had knowingly harboured the deceased accused Umar Un Nabi by providing him logistical support. He is also accused of destruction of evidence related to the terrorist attack".
Dr. Malla was produced before a designated court in Delhi, where he was remanded to NIA custody for seven days. The court also extended the NIA custody of Amir Rashid Ali, another accused in the Red Fort blast case, by seven days.
Prior to Dr. Malla's arrest, the NIA had arrested seven other individuals in connection with the case. These include Soyab of Dhauj in Faridabad, arrested on November 25th for allegedly sheltering Umar Un Nabi shortly before the attack, Shaheen Saeed, Dr. Muzammil Shakeel Ganai of Pulwama, Dr. Adeel Ahmed Rather of Anantnag, and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay of Shopian. Amir Rashid Ali, in whose name the car used in the blast was registered, and Jasir Bilal Wani alias Danish, who allegedly provided technical assistance to the terrorist, have also been arrested.
The investigation has revealed that Amir Rashid Ali facilitated the purchase of the car in Delhi, which was later used as a vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The NIA has forensically identified the deceased driver of the vehicle as Umar, a resident of Pulwama and an Assistant Professor in the General Medicine Department at Al Falah University in Faridabad. The agency has also seized another vehicle belonging to Nabi.
The NIA is working closely with central and state agencies to uncover all aspects of the conspiracy. The agency is continuing its investigation into the matter.
