Investigators probing the Delhi blast case that killed 12 people have found that the blast near the Red Fort area was part of a well-planned plot to carry out “serial blasts” at multiple locations in four cities. They found the purchase of explosive materials for Basai Meo village in Haryana’s Nuh district. The chain extends to Faridabad, Gurugram and Saharanpur, from where Dr. Umar Nabi and his companions – Dr. Muzammil, Dr. Adeel and Shaheen – bought basic material to make several bombs.
According to preliminary investigations, the suspects stockpiled 2,600 kg of NPK fertilizer and 1,000 kg of ammonium nitrate – enough to make several bombs to target multiple cities.
According to reports, Dr. Umar Nabi and his associates impersonated farm owners to obtain 2600 kg of NPK fertilizer worth ₹3 lakh from Gurugram, Nuh and 1000 kg of ammonium nitrate.
Officials seized several vehicles after the i20 blast in Red Fort, including an Ecosport and a Brezza, and are looking for other vehicles involved.
Intelligence agency sources said the suspects in the Delhi blast case planned to prepare two more similar old vehicles to contain explosives and enlarge the target.
Investigators revealed the suspects grew up together ₹20 million in cash which was handed over to Umar. The money was used to purchase 2,600 kg of NPK fertilizer and 1,000 kg of ammonium nitrate intended for IED preparation.
“They spent over ₹20 thousand with each member contributing. The group also bought rifles and ammunition from Srinagar with the help of their handlers, including one codenamed ‘Ukasha’,” said a senior Delhi Police officer.
The police also identified fertilizer dealers in Faridabad who supplied the material to the suspects. Dr. Muzammil Shakeel Ganai was the one who frequented the shops to buy NPK. “They didn’t buy everything at once. They collected it gradually over three or four months,” the investigator said.
Meanwhile, DNA tests had earlier confirmed that the man who carried out the balst in Delhi near the Red Fort was Dr Umar Un Nabi. After the explosion, his foot got stuck between the steering wheel and the gas pedal. His DNA sample matched that of his mother, Delhi Police said.
Sources from the investigating agencies also revealed that there were eight suspects who planned to carry out the blasts at four locations. “They planned to move to four cities in groups of two. Each group was to carry several IEDs,” ANI quoted sources in the investigating agency as saying.
