The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Jasir Bilal Wani, a key co-conspirator in the deadly Red Fort car blast that claimed 13 lives, on Monday in Srinagar. This arrest forms part of a broader investigation targeting the intricate and dangerous Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror network operating across India.
Wani, a resident of Qazigund in Anantnag district, allegedly provided technical support for terror operations, including fabricating rockets and modifying drones. The NIA announced his arrest, revealing he worked closely with Umar un Nabi, the suicide bomber responsible for the explosion. Wani, also known by his alias ‘Danish’, carried out his activities under the guidance of Umar, who had a significant influence on his radicalization.
According to NIA officials, Wani told interrogators he had been intensively radicalized by Umar for months with an ultimate aim to recruit him as a suicide bomber. His journey into extremism peaked after he met Umar’s group, identified as the “Doctor module”, last October at a mosque in Kulgam. The planning stages included attempts to rent an accommodation in Faridabad, Haryana, where critical arrangements for the assault were allegedly made.
While Wani’s initial role was intended to be as an over-ground worker (OGW) for the banned JeM, he found himself being pressured into a suicide mission. He eventually withdrew from this plan due to economic hardships and personal beliefs about taking a life, which he questioned based on Islamic teachings.
Investigators emphasize that the threats posed by this interstate network underline a significant shift in tactics among terror groups in India, with intentions to orchestrate a sophisticated, large-scale attack. Following the probing of Wani’s connections, NIA officials are examining various angles to understand the depth and extent of the conspiracy behind the November 10 blast.
Umar, the primary figure in this investigation, is a 28-year-old physician from Pulwama. Authorities believe he was working on preparing a VBIED or vehicle-borne improvised explosive device intended for a densely populated target in Delhi or another substantial religious site. This attack appeared strategized to coincide with significant dates, including the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary on December 6.
Wani’s previous interrogations further revealed Umar’s radicalization intensified after a trip to Turkiye in 2021, where he allegedly collaborated with other extremists to procure ammonia nitrate and various chemicals to aid their treacherous activities.
Local law enforcement’s investigation spiraled after JeM posters emerged in Srinagar on October 19. Subsequent actions led to the arrest of three locals previously involved in stone-pelting incidents, which peeled back the layers of a radical network.
The questioning of these suspects revealed ties to a former paramedic turned Imam from Shopian, Maulvi Irfan Ahmad. Ahmad reportedly supplied the radical propaganda, significantly influencing the doctors involved in this dangerous plot.
This arrest and further investigations underscore an alarming trend of increased radicalization and recruitment efforts among healthcare professionals in Kashmir, posing a critical challenge to the security landscape in the region. As the NIA continues its probe, swift actions aim to dismantle this interstate network that threatens national security.
