The investigation into the deadly car explosion near Delhiโs iconic Red Fort, which claimed multiple lives, has taken a chilling turn. Following the attack, a European media outlet, EU Reporter, drew attention to the sophisticated, “hybrid terror” nature of the module, a claim now strongly substantiated by the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) findings.
The term “hybrid terror” refers to the blending of traditional militant ideology with modern operational tacticsโspecifically, the recruitment of educated, white-collar professionals who use advanced technology and operate under handlers situated abroad.
๐ฑ Encrypted Communications and Foreign Handler
The “hybrid” elements flagged by the investigation are centered on the attackers’ operational security and international planning:
Encrypted Trail: Suspects, including the alleged suicide bomber Dr. Umar un Nabi, used a mix of encrypted messaging applications like Session, Signal, and Telegram to coordinate their efforts. The use of highly decentralized and non-traceable apps like Session highlights a significant upgrade in the module’s technical capabilities designed to evade intelligence agencies.
Foreign Coordination: Reports indicate that key associates linked to terror outfits like Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH) traveled to Turkey in 2022 to meet with a handler codenamed “Ukasa” in Ankara, where the final planning and strategy for the attack were reportedly communicated.
White-Collar Recruitment: The alleged suicide bomber, Dr. Nabi, was a doctor and an assistant professor, confirming the alarming trend of highly educated individuals being radicalized and recruited into terror modules.
๐จ NIA Confirms Suicide Attack and Key Arrests
The multi-agency probe, spearheaded by the NIA, has officially confirmed the core terror angle:
Car-Borne Suicide Attack: The NIA has forensically established that the deceased driver of the explosive-laden Hyundai i20 was, in fact, Dr. Umar un Nabi and that the incident was a car-borne suicide attackโonly the second of its kind in the national capital.
Arrests of Co-conspirators: The NIA has made several key arrests, including Amir Rashid Ali, who allegedly facilitated the purchase of the vehicle used as the Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED). Another arrested associate, Jasir Bilal Wani, a technical expert, is accused of providing support for drone modifications and attempting to make rockets, suggesting the module had broader, sophisticated attack plans targeting high-security zones.
Explosives and Preparations: Investigators suspect the IED contained highly unstable explosives like Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP), alongside Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO), indicating a high-grade, powerful device that may have detonated prematurely due to its instability. The module was also found to be stockpiling large quantities of explosive material for future strikes.
The ongoing investigation, which involves cross-state coordination and the tracing of hawala trails, seeks to fully dismantle this complex hybrid terror network and identify the remaining sponsors operating from abroad.