The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested another doctor from Jammu & Kashmir in connection with the November 10 blast outside the Red Fort Metro station in Delhi.
The arrest marks a significant development in the expanding terror probe, bringing the total number of arrests to eight as investigators continue to trace the roots of what appears to be a broader conspiracy.
Background of the Red Fort Metro Blast Case
On November 10, a car parked outside the Red Fort Metro station exploded, causing panic in the high-security zone.
While no casualties were reported, the blast triggered major alarm because of its proximity to the iconic Red Fort and the densely populated Chandni Chowk area.
Early forensic findings suggested that the explosion was deliberate and involved an improvised explosive device (IED) placed inside the vehicle.
The NIA took over the investigation days later, uncovering what it described as a “multi-layered conspiracy” spanning Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and possibly foreign handlers.
The first breakthrough came when investigators identified Umar Nabi, a doctor from Baramulla, as the person who had driven and abandoned the explosive-laden car.
Subsequent arrests included individuals accused of financing the operation, destroying evidence, and facilitating Nabi’s movements across state borders.
Latest Arrest: Doctor Allegedly Sheltered Blast Accused
The NIA announced on Tuesday that it had arrested Bilal Naseer Malla, another doctor from Baramulla, accusing him of knowingly providing shelter and logistical support to Umar Nabi after the blast.
“He harboured Nabi and assisted in destroying evidence linked to the terrorist attack,” the NIA spokesperson said.
The agency stated that Bilal played a crucial role in helping Nabi evade law enforcement during the early days of the investigation.
Bilal was presented before Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna in Delhi, who remanded him to NIA custody for seven days to allow further interrogation and recovery of evidence.
Another Accused’s Custody Extended
Alongside Bilal, the NIA produced Amir Rashid Ali, one of the previously arrested accused.
The court extended his custodial remand by seven more days, giving investigators additional time to probe his alleged role in aiding the conspiracy.
NIA Expands Probe Into Wider Network
The anti-terror agency has said it is coordinating with multiple central and state agencies to map out the full extent of the network behind the blast. Investigators are examining:
- Cross-border connections
- Possible involvement of foreign handlers
- Funding channels
- Safe houses used by the accused
- Digital communication and encrypted messages
The NIA believes that the operation required significant logistical planning, suggesting that multiple layers of support existed beyond those already arrested.
The investigation remains ongoing, and more arrests are likely in the coming days as the agency continues to piece together the conspiracy behind the Red Fort Metro blast.
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