Delhi car blast: NIA makes eighth arrest as terror probe expands

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Tuesday that it had detained Dr Bilal Naseer Malla in Delhi for allegedly helping conceal evidence linked to the 10 November blast that struck a busy area near the Red Fort. The explosion killed 15 people and left several others injured, prompting one of the most extensive security investigations in the capital in recent years.

According to an NIA statement, Dr Malla is suspected of providing logistical support to Umar Un Nabi, an accused who died following the incident. The agency alleges that Dr Malla knowingly sheltered him and later assisted in the destruction of material that may have been relevant to the investigation.

Officials say the attack is being examined as an act of terrorism under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Investigators have indicated that the explosion may be connected to a network inspired by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based armed group designated as a terrorist organisation by India, the United Nations, and several Western governments. The NIA has said the module included radicalised young medical professionals who are believed to have received guidance from operatives across the border.

Several arrests have been made since the incident. Among those detained earlier is a resident of Faridabad, a city near Delhi, who is suspected of harbouring Umar Un Nabi shortly before the blast. Officials say the widening inquiry is aimed at identifying every individual involved in the planning, execution, and subsequent concealment of the attack.

An NIA spokesperson said the agency is working closely with multiple security bodies to map the entire chain of events. “The investigation is progressing with support from central and state agencies to ensure all connections to the conspiracy are uncovered,” the spokesperson said.

While detaining Dr Malla, the NIA also continued operations in Jammu and Kashmir, where several of the accused lived or maintained contacts. A coordinated team of NIA personnel, local police, and the Central Reserve Police Force carried out searches on Tuesday in the forested Mattan area of Anantnag district, according to officials familiar with the operation.

Investigators brought two accused—Dr Adeel Rather and Jasir Bilal Wani—to the site during the search. Both men were previously arrested in what officials describe as a “white-collar” terror setup, referring to individuals who use their professional positions and networks to support extremist activity. The pair reportedly identified potential hideouts in the region that may have been used to facilitate movement or store material linked to the conspiracy.

Officials have not confirmed what, if anything, was recovered during the searches. However, they said such field operations are expected to continue as the agency pieces together communications, travel routes, and potential support structures that may have enabled the attack.

The Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of India’s most prominent landmarks, is visited by thousands of tourists daily. Although the explosion occurred outside the immediate monument complex, the attack has raised questions about security in central Delhi and the vulnerability of high-profile public spaces.

Senior investigators have said that while several key suspects have been detained, the investigation remains active. The NIA is examining digital records, financial transactions, and cross-border communication channels as it works to establish whether the operation had external coordination.

Context

India has faced periodic attacks linked to armed groups operating in or influencing networks in Jammu and Kashmir. The NIA, established in 2009 after the Mumbai attacks, is the country’s primary federal agency for counterterrorism cases and often works with state police forces to dismantle suspected cells.

The November explosion near the Red Fort is one of the most serious security incidents in the capital in recent years. The case has attracted national attention due to the involvement of medical professionals, alleged cross-border links, and the symbolic significance of the historic site.

Authorities say the ongoing investigation aims to clarify whether the attack was part of a broader strategy to target high-visibility locations in India. Further arrests and searches are expected as the inquiry progresses.