Why The 9th Arrest In Delhi Blast Case Matters—Explained

In a major breakthrough in the ongoing probe in the Delhi blast case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a terrorist who had "sworn allegiance and taken an oath for carrying out self-sacrificial

operations." Accused Yaseer Ahmed Dar was arrested in New Delhi. Officials said Umar Un Nabi, the car bomber and key preparator of the attack, and other accused convinced him to become a "suicide bomber."The arrest of Dar will help in unraveling how Un Nabi was trying to convince others to participate in fidayeen attacks and scouting for suicide bombers. Days after the Delhi blast, security agencies found a video in which Umar Un Nabi was reportedly trying to convince Jasir Wani to become a "suicide bomber." On November 17, NIA had arrested Wani.The 80-second-long clip had terrorist Umar trying to spin the concept of "martyrdom". "One of the most misunderstood concepts is the concept of suicide bombing… It is a martyrdom operation," he said in the video.Sources said despite Umar's repeated attempts, Jasir panicked and did not agree to become a suicide bomber. However, Umar then used his expertise to modify drones to use them as rockets laden with IEDs.Also Read: Delhi Red Fort Blast Case: NIA Arrests Ninth Accused, Court Sends Yasir Ahmad Dar To Custody

How accused wanted to replicate Hamas-styled attack

The JeM-Ansar ul Ghazwat-ul-Hind module wanted to replicate a Hamas-styled attack that had been carried out in Israel in October 2023. The idea was to carry out drone attacks followed by car bombs to be triggered by suicide bombers in multiple cities."Yasir was in close contact with the other accused persons in the case, including Umar Un Nabi (the deceased perpetrator of the bombing) as well as Mufti Irfan," NIA said on Thursday.Investigations have revealed that in late 2022 Mufti Irfan had met Dr Muzammil which led to formation of this terror module. Dr Muzammil and Dr Umar Un Nabi were for the same village. A year later their Turkey-based handler, Ukasha, convinced three doctors - Muzammil Adeel and his brother Muzaffar - to go to Syria and meet a terror operative. The Syrian national convinced them to carry out a big attack. Umar wanted to settle in Afghanistan, but he was directed to go back to India and prepare for a "big attack". A week before the attack, Muzaffar fled to Afghanistan. J&K's anti terror unit SIA has moved an application in a Srinagar court to declare Muzaffar a proclaimed offender. After returning from Turkey, Umar joined Al Falah University as an assistant professor. NIA has also re-arrested four accused who were earlier arrested by J&K, including Dr. Shaheen, the lone woman terrorist in the entire module. Security agencies accused her of providing logistical and financial support to other terrorists.