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NEW DELHI, Nov 12 (PMI) Fresh revelations have deepened the investigation into Monday’s Red Fort blast that claimed 12 lives and injured several others. Police sources said that Dr. Muzammil Ganaie, one of the key accused in a recently busted white-collar terror module, had conducted multiple reconnaissance visits to the Red Fort area in January this year.
According to officials, analysis of dump data retrieved from Dr. Ganaie’s mobile phone showed his repeated presence near the monument in the first week of January. Investigators believe these visits were part of a larger plan to attack the Red Fort on Republic Day (January 26) — a plot that was thwarted after intensified police patrolling in the area.
The revelation came hours after Delhi Police and central agencies busted a terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH). Eight people, including three doctors, were arrested. Within hours of the arrests, a high-intensity explosion tore through a slow-moving car near the Red Fort Metro Station, killing 12 and setting several vehicles ablaze.
During coordinated raids across Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, police recovered nearly 2,500 kilograms of explosive materials — including ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate, and sulphur.
The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team has since collected around 40 samples from the blast site, which include two cartridges, live rounds, and traces of two different explosive substances. Initial analysis suggests that one of the samples contains ammonium nitrate, while the second is believed to be a more potent compound, now undergoing detailed testing.
Investigators also confirmed that Dr. Ganaie and Dr. Umar Nabi, an assistant professor at Al-Falah University, jointly visited the Red Fort several times in January to study crowd movement and security patterns. Dr. Umar is suspected of having been driving the car that exploded on Monday evening. Their movements were verified through CCTV footage and mobile tower data.
In another development, Maulvi Ishtiyaq, a preacher from Mewat, Haryana, was detained by Jammu and Kashmir Police in connection with the same module. He had been living in a rented house inside the Al-Falah University complex in Faridabad, from where police recovered over 2,500 kilograms of explosives. He is likely to become the ninth person formally arrested in the case.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have intensified security checks across the national capital. Heavy police and paramilitary deployment has been made at all entry and exit points, including Ghazipur, Singhu, Tikri, and Badarpur borders.
Sniffer dogs, metal detectors, and anti-sabotage teams have been deployed at markets, metro stations, railway stations, and bus terminals.
“All district units have been placed on high alert, and patrolling has been increased in crowded areas,” said a senior police officer. “We are taking no chances — our priority is to ensure public safety and maintain confidence among citizens.”(pressmediaofindia.com)
