The investigation into the deadly blast near Delhi’s Red Fort has taken a significant turn, with interrogation findings pointing to a two-year-long terror conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by a white-collar, Jaish-linked radical module embedded within educational and urban workplaces. According to investigative sources, Dr Muzammil Shakeel, one of the accused arrested in connection with the October 11 explosion, has confessed to stockpiling explosives, chemicals, and triggering devices over an extended period as part of preparations for what authorities now believe was intended to be a multi-city serial blast operation.
The blast, which killed at least 13 people inside an i20 vehicle near the Red Fort, is being described by officials as a panic detonation, triggered prematurely before the wider plot could unfold. The suicide bomber, identified as Umar Mohammad, died in the explosion, prompting authorities to widen the investigation to uncover the network, its funding channels, foreign handlers, and logistical infrastructure.
Two Years of Procurement and Planning
According to investigators, Dr Shakeel has admitted that he played a crucial role in assembling the explosive components. His responsibilities allegedly included acquiring urea, ammonium nitrate, electronic remotes, fertiliser compounds, and activation circuits required to manufacture improvised explosive devices.
Over the two-year period, Shakeel is believed to have purchased 26 quintals of NPK fertiliser worth Rs 3 lakh from locations in Gurugram and Nuh in Haryana. Additional explosive materials were sourced from Nuh, while specialised electronic components were reportedly procured from two markets in Faridabad. Investigators say that Shakeel even purchased a deep freezer to stabilize chemical compounds during storage.
Umar, his associate and eventual suicide bomber, allegedly processed the fertiliser mixture and sourced other volatile chemical elements. Police have recovered a flour mill said to have been used to grind urea into a fine mixture suitable for explosive preparation.
Self-Funded Terror Module, Money Trails Trace Back to Associates
The National Investigation Agency has found that the blast conspiracy was self-financed by the module, with members pooling around Rs 26 lakh to purchase materials, equipment, and logistical support. Umar contributed Rs 2 lakh, Dr Shakeel allegedly provided Rs 5 lakh, while brothers Adil Rather and Muzaffar Rather added Rs 8 lakh and Rs 6 lakh respectively. Another associate, Shaeen Saeed from Lucknow, reportedly contributed Rs 5 lakh.
Officials say tensions over finances led to a confrontation between Umar and Shakeel at Al Falah University, after which Umar transferred ownership of his Red EcoSport car to Shakeel. The vehicle was later recovered from Faridabad. The university remains under scrutiny over alleged irregularities and suspected facilitation.
Foreign Links, Handlers, and Aborted Afghanistan Route
Interrogation details suggest the accused maintained communications with handlers referred to as Mansoor and Hashim, while a coordinating figure named Ibrahim is believed to have issued operational directives. Intelligence inputs suggest that three members — Shakeel, Adil, and Muzaffar — travelled to Turkey under instructions from a figure linked to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The group allegedly attempted to enter Afghanistan but were instructed to abandon the effort after waiting for several days.
Investigators believe encrypted messaging platforms such as Telegram were used to exchange instructions, technical guidance, and routing information.
Acquisition of Firearms and Digital Radicalisation Evidence
During the investigation, authorities recovered an AK-47 rifle reportedly purchased by Shakeel for Rs 6.5 lakh and stored in Adil’s locker. Officials have also confirmed that Umar accessed online bomb-making tutorials, instructional videos, and operational blueprints prior to purchasing explosive components.
Agencies now believe that the foiled wider plot intended to execute multiple coordinated blasts across several cities, designed to strike simultaneously and overwhelm emergency response systems.
Network Under Scrutiny, Investigations Expand
The surviving accused are in custody and undergoing continued questioning. Investigators are mapping interactions, travel records, financial transfers, encrypted chats, academic associations, and external contacts to determine the scale of the network. Multiple domestic modules and foreign nodes are now under surveillance as the probe intensifies.
Authorities say the sophisticated nature of procurement, funding, and operational secrecy indicates a new pattern of radicalisation, where recruits hold professional qualifications, urban employment profiles, and minimal visibility on traditional intelligence risk indicators.
