Delhi terror attack: NIA conducts raids at eight locations including house of key accused Jasir Bilal Wani

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has launched raids at eight locations in connection with the Delhi terror attack case. The raids are being carried out jointly with the Jammu and Kashmir Police. One of the locations raided is the house of the key accused, Jasir Bilal Wani.

Multiple teams are conducting the raids. Officials had earlier identified Jasir Bilal Wani, also known by the alias Danish, as one of the main conspirators behind the Red Fort car blast that took place on November 10. Wani, a resident of Qazigund in Anantnag district, holds a degree in Political Science. According to the NIA, Wani and Dr Umar Nabi had planned attacks in Indian cities. They had also discussed Hamas-style drone attacks and developing small rockets for coordinated explosions.

Investigators say Wani was the technical backbone of the “white-collar terror module” formed to carry out blasts at various locations in the city. He had been leading work on modifying drones, upgrading their batteries and camera systems, and assembling small explosive devices designed to be deployed in crowded public areas.

The NIA says these designs were inspired by tactics used by Hamas and ISIS in conflict zones across the Middle East. Wani reportedly met Dr Umar Nabi in October last year at a mosque in Kulgam. He had agreed to work with the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed. Initially, the group planned to use Wani as a suicide bomber. However, he refused due to religious restrictions against suicide and because of financial difficulties. Still, he continued helping with the technical preparations for the planned blasts, the NIA says.

The i20 car that exploded near the Red Fort was registered under the name of Ameer Rashid Ali. He was arrested after investigators found his involvement in the blast. Later, his associate Jasir Bilal Wani was also taken into custody.