1st image of Red Fort blast co-conspirator: Jasir Bilal Wani, an expert in drone modification; planned Hamas-style attack, backed out from suicide bombing

NEW DELHI: The image of Jasir Bilal Wani, a key co-conspirator in the November 10 Red Fort car blast, has surfaced for the first time offering a glimpse of one of the main operatives behind the attack.

Intensifying the investigation into the November 10 Red Fort car blast, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested Jasir Bilal Wani, also known as Danish, a Kashmiri resident from Qazigund, Anantnag district, for his alleged role in the terror attack. The agency revealed that the module led by suicide bomber Dr Umar Un Nabi was planning Hamas-style drone attacks and manufacturing small rockets for coordinated blasts.Wani, a political science graduate, was described by the NIA as an “active co-conspirator” who worked closely with Nabi, a 28-year-old doctor from Pulwama, in planning the terror operation. According to the agency, Wani provided technical support by modifying drones, equipping them with batteries and cameras, and attempting to integrate small explosive devices for use in crowded areas. Such attacks mirror those executed by groups like Hamas and ISIS in Syria, Iraq, Israel, and Afghanistan, and were reportedly inspired by past drone strikes, including the 2021 attack on Jammu Air Force Station.The arrest comes a day after the NIA took Amir Rashid Ali, a resident of Pampore in South Kashmir, into custody.

Ali, in whose name the i20 car used in the blast was registered, allegedly arranged a safe house and provided logistical support to Nabi. Both arrests followed the agency’s takeover of the investigation from Delhi Police.During questioning, Wani revealed that he first met Nabi in October last year at a mosque in Kulgam, from where he was taken to a rented accommodation linked to Al Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana. While other module members reportedly wanted him to act as an over-ground worker for Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Nabi allegedly brainwashed him over several months to become a suicide bomber. Wani ultimately backed out in April 2025, citing poor economic conditions and religious prohibitions against suicide.Traces of explosives, including TATP, were recovered from the blast site, notably from a shoe found beneath the driver’s seat of the i20, evoking parallels with Richard Reid’s 2001 “shoe bomb” attempt. Forensic teams are scrutinizing the metallic substance found in the shoe for potential use as a trigger mechanism. Additional traces of explosives were also found beneath the car’s rear seat, indicating the potential involvement of multiple devices.The NIA has secured a 10-day custodial interrogation of Amir Rashid Ali, who is expected to be taken to Kashmir for further questioning regarding his role in facilitating the blast.Delhi Police has also issued summons to the chairman of Al Falah University in connection with the ongoing probe, following two cases of alleged forgery and cheating linked to the Faridabad module.The Red Fort blast claimed 15 lives and injured 28 other. The NIA said several teams are actively pursuing leads across states to identify all individuals involved in the terror plot.