Intelligence agencies on Thursday unearthed a major terror plot involving deadly vehicles laden with explosives to carry out coordinated attacks at multiple locations.
According to intelligence agency sources, the scope of the ongoing investigation widened further after it was revealed that the accused had started modifying an i20 and an EcoSport vehicle for use in the attacks.
Investigators are now probing whether other similar vehicles were being prepared as part of a broader plan to carry out serial blasts.
“After the i20 and EcoSport, it has come to light that preparations were underway to make two more old vehicles which could be fitted with explosives,” an intelligence source told ANI.
Furthermore, investigating agencies reported that around eight suspects were allegedly preparing to carry out coordinated blasts at four locations, with each pair assigned a specific target city.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the accused groups were planning to attack in twos, each carrying multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Those coming under the scanner also include people associated with former terror cases like Red Fort blast accused Dr. Muzammil, Dr. Adeel, Dr. Omar and Shaheen.
According to sources, the police succeeded in foiling a major terrorist plot to carry out serial blasts in several Indian cities.
Sources revealed that the accused had together raised around Rs 20 lakh in cash, which was handed over to Umar for operational expenses. The money was allegedly used to purchase 20 quintals of NPK fertilizer (NPK fertilizer is a mixture of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)) worth about Rs 3 lakh from Gurugram, Nuh and surrounding areas, which was intended to prepare IEDs.
Investigators also revealed that Omar had created a Signal app group consisting of two to four members to coordinate activities securely.
According to investigating agencies, Dr Muzammil was attracted to Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, a wing of ISIS, after maintaining contact with associates of terrorists killed between 2021 and 2022. He was introduced to this network by a person named Irfan alias Maulvi.
It is believed that the weapons recovered in 2023 and 2024 were acquired by this module as part of its preparation to form an independent terrorist group.
The investigating agencies are busy unearthing a wide network, suspecting that the accused had planned to carry out the attack in the near future.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Faridabad Police seized a red colored EcoSport DL 10 CK 0458, which is suspected to be linked to the main suspect in the Delhi blasts case, Dr Omar Un Nabi. A red colored EcoSport, suspected to be linked to Dr Omar, was found parked near Khandavali village.
Additionally, Delhi Police on Thursday confirmed that the man who carried out the car blast near the Red Fort was Dr Omar Un Nabi, as forensic DNA testing found his biological sample matched with that of his mother.
Speaking exclusively to ANI, senior police officials said that this was confirmed after a detailed forensic investigation that lasted for several days. A senior police officer said that after the blast, Umar’s leg was found stuck between the steering wheel and accelerator of the car, suggesting that he was driving the car at the time of the blast.
“DNA profiling has identified the deceased as Dr Umar Un Nabi. His sample was matched with his mother’s DNA to establish the link,” a senior Delhi Police official said.
On Wednesday, DNA samples of Dr Omar’s mother and brother were collected and sent to AIIMS Forensic Laboratory, where they were matched with the remains of the bodies kept at Delhi’s Lok Nayak Hospital.