Inside the Delhi Red Fort blast plot: Encrypted Signal chats and weapon moves uncovered

New Delhi: Encrypted exchanges and the movement of firearms have uncovered a tightly organised core within the terror module linked to Dr. Umar Muhammad, the driver of the i20 that exploded near Delhi’s Red Fort, killing at least 13 people and injuring over a dozen others, according to investigators.

Officials said Umar set up an encrypted Signal group nearly three months ago, using a name marked with special characters in an attempt to evade monitoring.

He reportedly added Muzammil, Adil Rather, Muzaffar Rather and Maulvi Irfan Ahmad Waghe to this channel, which functioned as the primary hub for internal coordination.

A major lead in the investigation emerged after an assault rifle and a pistol were recovered from the vehicle of Dr. Shaheen Shahid. Investigators suspect Umar had sourced these weapons and handed them to Irfan sometime in 2024.

Shaheen had previously seen the same weapons during a visit to Irfan's room along with Muzammil, and is suspected to have contributed the largest share of funds used to sustain the module's operations.

Sources say the evidence so far points to a clear hierarchy and division of roles. Financial support was primarily managed by the three doctors, with Dr. Muzammil playing a central role.

Recruitment of Kashmiri youths was handled by Irfan, who is believed to have brought in two arrested recruits—Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil and Yasir ul Ashraf.

Investigators have also documented several instances of weapon movement. In October 2023, Adil and Umar visited Irfan at Masjid Ali, carrying a rifle hidden in a bag, and later left after cleaning its barrel.

A month later, Adil again arrived at Irfan's residence with a rifle. Muzammil and Shaheen also reached the location that same day. The weapon was reportedly kept with Irfan, and Adil returned the next morning to collect it, sources said.

The findings indicate a coordinated network operating through encrypted platforms, involving systematic fundraising, targeted recruitment and careful handling of weapons, they added.

The network is linked to the Faridabad terror module, which was exposed on November 9 after police seized 2,900 kg of explosives and ammunition from rented rooms linked to Muzammil, a doctor associated with the Al Falah University.

Umar, another doctor associated with Al Falah University, was driving the car that exploded near the Red Fort on November 10, triggering a massive investigation into the module's operations. Police have since intensified the hunt for all individuals connected to the network.

Further investigations are underway.

IANS