The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday intensified its probe into the November 10 Red Fort blast in Delhi, arresting four more individuals from Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh in connection with the attack. The development brings the total number of accused held in the case to six, as investigators work to dismantle what officials have described as a highly organized and sophisticated terror module. Following their arrests, the four suspects—identified as Dr. Muzammil Shakeel Ganai from Pulwama, Dr. Adeel Ahmed Rather from Anantnag, Dr. Shaheen Saeed from Lucknow, and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay from Shopian—were remanded to NIA custody for ten days by Principal Judge Anju Bajaj Chandra of the Patiala House Court in Delhi.

An NIA officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the arrests as among the most significant developments since the case was handed over to the agency. “We had earlier apprehended Amir Rashid Ali, the registered owner of the vehicle used in the explosion, along with Jasir Bilal Wani, alias Danish, who provided technical support and logistical assistance to the bomber,” the officer said. These latest arrests, however, signal a substantial breakthrough, particularly in identifying the brains and organizers behind the attack, rather than just the operational executors.

According to officials, the fresh arrests have brought to light what they describe as a “white-collar doctor terror module,” an unprecedented discovery involving highly educated individuals allegedly linked to the planning and execution of the bombing. Dr. Ganai and Dr. Saeed, along with other members of the group, reportedly maintained a rented flat in Faridabad that served as a clandestine workshop for assembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs). During previous raids linked to the module, authorities recovered significant quantities of explosive-making chemicals and assorted weapons, highlighting the scale and sophistication of the operation.

The four suspects arrested on Thursday are alleged to have played direct roles in the logistical and technical execution of the Red Fort blast. The NIA’s ongoing investigation has revealed that these individuals were part of a broader conspiracy, potentially aimed at carrying out coordinated terror attacks in the national capital. The investigation has involved extensive coordination with state police forces in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, as authorities work to identify and apprehend all members of the terrorist network.

The NIA has made it clear that more arrests are likely to follow. Interrogations of the recently apprehended suspects, combined with forensic analysis and digital evidence, are expected to yield further leads that could help map the full chain of command and operational planning behind the attack. “We are piecing together the full contours of the plot, and the custodial remand for the latest arrestees will enable us to thoroughly examine their role in the conspiracy,” said an NIA official.

The Red Fort blast, which occurred in one of Delhi’s most high-security zones and just meters away from one of the country’s most iconic monuments, immediately triggered a multi-agency investigation. The attack not only shocked the nation but also underscored vulnerabilities in urban security, particularly in areas housing significant historical and political landmarks. In the aftermath of the explosion, law enforcement agencies carried out sweeping raids across Delhi-NCR and Jammu and Kashmir, and lookout notices were issued at airports to prevent any suspects from fleeing the country.

Authorities believe that the bombing was not an isolated incident but part of a more extensive plan to carry out coordinated strikes in the capital. Preliminary investigations indicate meticulous planning, with attackers leveraging technical expertise, local knowledge, and sophisticated communication channels to execute the attack. The NIA’s discovery of the involvement of professionals, including medical doctors, has raised serious concerns about the increasing recruitment of educated individuals into terror networks, highlighting a new dimension of radicalization that combines expertise with extremist ideology.

The arrests in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly of individuals from Pulwama, Anantnag, and Shopian, have drawn attention to the region’s persistent security challenges. Officials suggest that the suspects may have leveraged their local networks to acquire materials, plan logistics, and communicate with other operatives. Similarly, the inclusion of Dr. Shaheen Saeed from Lucknow suggests that the network spans multiple states, indicating an alarming level of coordination.

The NIA’s investigative strategy involves not just tracking the suspects’ movements but also analyzing their digital footprints, financial transactions, and communications. In addition to questioning the accused, the agency is collecting forensic evidence from locations tied to the suspects, including the Faridabad flat previously used for assembling explosives. Authorities are also examining how the explosives and other materials were procured, whether locally or through external networks, and whether additional attacks were being planned using the same methodology.

Law enforcement agencies are taking particular care to understand the operational methodology of the module. The “white-collar doctor” angle has led to questions about how professional knowledge, scientific training, and access to certain resources may have facilitated the creation of high-quality improvised explosives. This aspect of the investigation could have significant implications for counter-terrorism strategies, prompting authorities to revisit how they monitor radicalization among highly educated and technically skilled individuals.

The NIA has also emphasized the importance of community vigilance. Following the blast, authorities have urged citizens to report suspicious activities, particularly in urban areas and near high-profile locations. Investigators are working to create a comprehensive picture of the network, identifying both core operatives and peripheral supporters who may have facilitated the attack through intelligence sharing, transportation, or logistical assistance.

The case has also put a spotlight on inter-agency coordination. With multiple law enforcement and intelligence agencies involved, including the Delhi Police, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and central intelligence units, the NIA has acted as the central coordinating body to streamline investigations, ensure swift arrests, and collate intelligence from disparate sources. This coordinated effort has been pivotal in tracing the suspects’ movements across state lines and identifying links between operatives in different regions.

As the investigation progresses, authorities are keen to understand the broader implications of the Red Fort attack. Security experts have noted that the choice of target—an iconic national monument in a high-security zone—was likely intended to maximize psychological impact and attract international attention. The NIA’s efforts to unravel the conspiracy are therefore not only about preventing immediate threats but also about safeguarding national symbols and public morale against attempts to instill fear through high-profile terror strikes.

In conclusion, the NIA’s arrest of Dr. Muzammil Shakeel Ganai, Dr. Adeel Ahmed Rather, Dr. Shaheen Saeed, and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay marks a critical turning point in the Red Fort blast investigation. With ten days of custodial remand, the agency aims to extract detailed accounts of their involvement, trace the broader conspiracy, and prevent any future strikes. The probe, which has already unveiled the alarming presence of a “white-collar doctor terror module,” is expected to continue yielding crucial insights into the operational structure, planning, and execution of high-profile terror attacks.

Authorities have reassured the public that every lead will be pursued, that all members of the network will be identified, and that those responsible for the attack will face stringent legal consequences. As India watches closely, the NIA’s focused and methodical investigation continues, highlighting the evolving nature of terrorism and the persistent need for vigilance, intelligence sharing, and rapid response in safeguarding urban centers and national landmarks.