The Jammu and Kashmir Police’s State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Saturday made another arrest in the ongoing probe into the “white collar” terror module linked to the Red Fort blast in Delhi, which claimed 10 lives. The latest accused has been identified as Tufail Niyaz Bhat, an electrician from Pulwama.
According to officials, Bhat was detained earlier in the day and subsequently taken in for detailed questioning. A senior CID officer told Hindustan Times that investigators have found “concrete evidence” pointing to his involvement in planning the attack. Agencies are now examining the depth of his role in the network believed to be behind the explosion.
How Investigators Cracked the ‘White Collar’ Module
The investigation initially began in mid-October when Srinagar Police discovered warning posters on walls in Nowgam, cautioning security personnel. The probe, led by Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, Senior Superintendent of Police (Srinagar), soon uncovered a larger conspiracy after the first three suspects — Arif Nisar Dar (alias Sahil), Yasir ul Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar (alias Shahid) — were identified through CCTV footage and arrested.
Following their interrogations, authorities arrested Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic who became an Imam. Police allege that he supplied the posters and exerted influence on several individuals involved.
The trail then led investigators to Al Falah University in Faridabad, where Dr Muzzafar Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Sayeed were arrested. During the operation, authorities also recovered 2,900 kg of explosive material, marking a major breakthrough in the case.
Investigators believe that a core team of three doctors — Dr Ganaie, Umar Nabi (the suspected driver of the explosive-laden car), and Dr Muzzaffar Rather (currently absconding) — formed the central command of the module.
NIA Arrests Four Key Conspirators
On Thursday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) formally arrested four of the primary conspirators, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to six. The accused — Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganai (Pulwama), Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather (Anantnag), Dr Shaheen Saeed (Lucknow) and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay (Shopian) — had earlier been detained by J&K Police as part of a nationwide crackdown on the terror network.
All four were taken into custody in Srinagar on production warrants issued by a Patiala House Court judge, who ordered 10 days of NIA custody after the agency requested extended interrogation.
The investigation is ongoing as agencies continue to trace the module’s financial, logistical, and organisational links.
