Car Blast Near Red Fort in New Delhi
Incident Overview
On Monday evening, a devastating car explosion in the vicinity of the Red Fort in New Delhi resulted in the deaths of eight individuals and injuries to 20 others. This incident has unveiled alarming revelations regarding the alleged involvement of medical professionals with ties to international terrorist networks operating from Afghanistan and Pakistan, specifically linked to the Pulwama attack.
Arrest of a Hyderabad-Based Doctor
A recent arrest of a doctor from Hyderabad has shed light on a disturbing terror network involving radicalized medical personnel and chemical weapons. According to the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Gujarat and central intelligence agencies, at least four doctors from cities including Hyderabad, Pulwama, and Faridabad are believed to be part of a radical module associated with the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS).
Details of the Arrest
The arrest occurred on November 8, when a doctor from Rajendranagar, originally from Khammam, Telangana, was apprehended by the Gujarat ATS near the Adalaj toll plaza on the Ahmedabad–Mehsana Road. Reports indicate that prior to his arrest, he had been disseminating extremist literature related to terror activities on Telegram and was actively radicalizing individuals through this platform.
Seizure of Weapons and Chemicals
Authorities discovered significant evidence during the interception of the doctor’s vehicle, including two Glock pistols, a Beretta handgun, 30 live cartridges, and four kilograms of castor-bean mash, which is used to produce ricin. This doctor is believed to have played a pivotal role in an IS-sponsored plan aimed at causing mass casualties with poison and drone-delivered weapons.
Investigation into Educational Background
The doctor reportedly holds an MBBS degree from China, yet the police are scrutinizing the legitimacy of this qualification in light of his alleged connection to the car blast incident. Under the guidance of his handler, Abu Khadija, he was allegedly producing ricin in substantial amounts and had conducted reconnaissance of critical sites in Delhi, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad.
Connections to Other Arrests
Following the arrest of the Hyderabad-based doctor, two of his associates were also taken into custody. These individuals are suspected of facilitating the movement of weapons and ammunition. Investigators suspect that this network is part of a larger IS-supported terror cell utilizing drone technology for weapon distribution across Punjab and Rajasthan.
Nature of the Threat
An ATS officer characterized this as one of the most perilous terror modules uncovered in recent years, underscoring the intricate and sophisticated nature of the conspiracy involving ricin and drone technology. Ricin is classified as a Category B biotoxin, which is banned under both the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), as even minimal exposure can be lethal.
Further Investigations and Developments
As investigations progressed, credible information retrieved from the doctor’s mobile device confirmed his associations with international terrorist organizations, including AQIS. It is believed that Khadija masterminded the provision of the chemical bomb formula and was responsible for organizing sleeper cells within Delhi.
Links to the Pulwama Attack
After thorough investigations, authorities traced the vehicle used in the Red Fort blast to a doctor based in Pulwama, establishing a direct connection between this attack and earlier operations in Faridabad. Reports suggest that the doctor panicked and detonated the bomb in response to the arrests of other key members of the terror module.
Ongoing Investigations and Legal Actions
The police suspect that ammonium nitrate was utilized in the Red Fort attack, which aligns with the materials found during raids in Faridabad. The joint operations conducted by the Gujarat ATS, Jammu & Kashmir Police, Haryana Police, and central agencies have revealed the extensive reach of this group, spanning from Telangana to Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir. The Delhi Police are now investigating the incident as a terrorist act, invoking the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosive Substances Act, along with charges related to murder and attempted murder.