Srinagar, November 17, 2025: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested Jasir Bilal Wani, a resident of Qazigund in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, identifying him as an “active co-conspirator” of suicide bomber Umar un Nabi in connection with the deadly car blast near the Red Fort last week that claimed 13 lives.

According to NIA officials, Wani, also known by the alias Danish, provided crucial technical support for terror operations, including modifying drones and attempting to manufacture rockets in preparation for the car bomb attack. The agency stated that he had worked closely with Umar to plan the assault, underlining his central role in the conspiracy.

“The accused was an active co-conspirator behind the attack and had worked closely with the terrorist, Umar un Nabi, to plan the terror carnage,” the NIA said in a statement. Authorities are continuing to probe multiple angles of the November 10 blast, with several investigative teams conducting searches across states to identify all individuals involved.

Wani, a bachelor with a background in political science, had been deeply radicalised by Umar over several months. Earlier, he had met the so-called ‘Doctor module’ at a mosque in Kulgam in October of last year and was subsequently taken to rented accommodation at Al Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana. Wani’s interrogations by the Jammu and Kashmir Police revealed that while some members of the module sought to recruit him as an over-ground worker (OGW) for the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Umar was determined to groom him into a suicide bomber.

The plan, however, collapsed in April of this year when Wani withdrew, citing economic constraints and his religious belief that suicide is forbidden in Islam. Nonetheless, his involvement demonstrates the depth of the recruitment and radicalisation networks operating across the region.

Officials have highlighted that the plot by Umar and associates underscores a sophisticated interstate terror network spanning Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Umar, a 28-year-old doctor from Pulwama, was reportedly planning a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack timed around the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary on December 6. Investigators noted that the intended target was likely a crowded location in Delhi or a site of religious significance.

The radicalisation trajectory of Umar reportedly intensified following a trip to Turkiye in 2021 with co-accused Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie. The duo allegedly met JeM OGWs abroad, and on their return, they began stockpiling chemicals, including 360 kg of ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and sulphur, much of which was stored near Al Falah University. This chemical cache formed the backbone of the planned VBIED.

Authorities believe that the December plot could not materialise after the arrest of Ganaie by Srinagar Police, along with the seizure of explosives. A panic triggered in Umar eventually culminated in a premature blast outside the Red Fort, resulting in the deaths of 13 people and injuries to several others.

The investigation into the terror module gained momentum when JeM posters appeared in Bunpora and Nowgam on the outskirts of Srinagar on October 19. The Srinagar Police promptly registered a case and reviewed CCTV footage, leading to the arrests of three locals—Arif Nisar Dar (alias Sahil), Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar (alias Shahid)—all of whom had previous records in stone-pelting cases.

Subsequent interrogations revealed the involvement of Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic turned Imam from Shopian, who allegedly supplied the radicalising materials and helped indoctrinate the doctors, including Umar and Ganaie.

The NIA emphasized that the arrest of Wani is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the broader JeM network in India and to trace every individual connected to the Red Fort blast. Authorities continue to pursue leads across multiple states to prevent any further attacks and ensure national security.

With Wani in custody, investigators hope to extract further intelligence regarding the planning and operational mechanisms of the network, particularly the methods used for radicalisation, recruitment, and preparation of explosives. Officials believe that dismantling this module will provide crucial insights into other potential sleeper cells and the strategies employed by JeM operatives to carry out high-casualty attacks in urban centers.

The investigation highlights the complex nature of terrorist networks that operate across state boundaries, using educational institutions, religious gatherings, and international travel for radicalisation and logistical support. Authorities stress the importance of continued vigilance, coordination between state and central agencies, and community support in identifying and neutralising such threats.

Wani’s arrest reinforces the NIA’s commitment to tracing all co-conspirators involved in the Red Fort incident, underlining the ongoing threat posed by JeM-inspired cells and the meticulous planning required to prevent future attacks in India’s major cities.