The investigation into the Delhi Red Fort blast has taken a disturbing turn, revealing how deeply a terror network had embedded itself within ordinary surroundings.

According to investigators, “Dr Muzammil Shakeel, one of the accused in the Faridabad terror module case and the Delhi Red Fort blast case, has revealed that he was preparing for the blasts for two years.” This admission has helped officials piece together a much larger conspiracy linked to a Jaish-backed group that had quietly planned a series of coordinated explosions across major Indian cities.

Authorities say the plot, which began forming in 2023, was not an isolated idea but a well-structured strategy designed to trigger blasts at multiple locations around the same time. The explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort on 10th November, which killed several people, is now believed to have gone off earlier than planned—an accidental detonation that exposed the broader terror plan. Investigators have confirmed that “the plot, hatched in 2023, involved creating a series of explosions planned for simultaneous locations, with the blast on 10th November near the Red Fort considered a panic explosion that went off prematurely.”

The attack near the historic monument was devastating. Around 13 people lost their lives when a Hyundai i20 car carrying explosives blew up in a crowded area close to the Red Fort complex. Muzammil told officials that during the past two years, he had slowly collected explosives, remote controls, and other bomb-making materials. His tasks included purchasing essential chemicals such as urea and ammonium nitrate—items commonly used in powerful improvised explosive devices.

To build this stockpile, Muzammil sourced 26 quintals of NPK fertiliser from Gurugram and Nuh in Haryana, spending Rs 3 lakh. Other parts needed to assemble explosives were bought from markets in Faridabad, including a deep freezer meant to store sensitive chemicals safely. Investigators also found a flour mill that the group used to grind urea, a key step in preparing the materials. Another accused, Umar, took responsibility for processing the fertiliser mixture and acquiring additional substances needed for the explosives.

Financially, the group supported the entire terror operation themselves. They pooled Rs 26 lakh in cash to purchase equipment, chemicals, and tools. Umar reportedly added Rs 2 lakh, while Muzammil contributed Rs 5 lakh. Two other suspects—Adil Rather and Muzaffar Rather—gave Rs 8 lakh and Rs 6 lakh respectively. A fifth suspect, Shaeen Saeed from Lucknow, provided Rs 5 lakh, demonstrating how each member played a role in funding the terror activities.

Investigators also uncovered internal conflict within the group. There was a dispute over money between Umar and Muzammil at their workplace, Al Falah University in Faridabad. After this disagreement, Umar transferred ownership of his Red EcoSport car to Muzammil, a vehicle that police later recovered during the probe.

The terror cell also procured weapons. Muzammil admitted purchasing an AK-47 rifle for Rs 6.5 lakh, which officers later found hidden inside the locker belonging to accused Adil Rather. During questioning, the suspects identified their handlers as Mansoor and Hashim, who were operating under orders from a person known as Ibrahim. Police sources state that Muzammil, Adil, and Muzaffar also travelled to Turkey on instructions from someone called Okasa, who is believed to be linked with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Their journey was supposed to lead them into Afghanistan, but the handler abandoned them midway, forcing them to wait for nearly a week. Muzammil revealed that Okasa communicated with him mainly via Telegram, but the connection ended abruptly after Muzammil raised questions about their mission.

Before carrying out the blasts, Umar reportedly watched bomb-making videos online to understand the assembly process. Investigators are certain that the group had mapped out a far bigger assault involving timed explosions across several cities. The ongoing investigation has uncovered a web of domestic and foreign connections, highlighting how educated professionals attempted to operate a sophisticated terror network under the guise of normal day-to-day lives.

The police have also confirmed that the explosives gathered by this module caused two separate blasts—the first being the Red Fort explosion near the Metro Gate on 10th November, which Umar Nabi was driving when it detonated, killing 13 people. The second was an accidental blast on 14th November at the Nowgam police station, where nine police and forensic personnel tragically lost their lives while examining the seized explosives.