Probe hints at unknown Pakistan outfit's role in Delhi blast

More than a month after the Delhi blast, which led to the death of 11 persons and injuries to several others, the possibility of an unknown Pakistan-based outfit is not being ruled out behind the incident, more so as the involvement of any major group, including Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), hasn't been ascertained, sources privy to details regarding the ongoing probe have indicated.

Significantly, funding of the blast, apparently part of several such attacks planned by the perpetrators, has been linked to Pakistan by the NIA probe, the sources informed further. They said the probe till now seems to be indicating towards the apparent involvement of a relatively new Pakistan-based outfit, which could likely be a sleeper cell too.

Funding from across the border

Funding of the Red Fort blast, apparently part of several such attacks planned by the perpetrators, had been linked to Pakistan by the NIA probe, sources said. 

They added the probe till now seemed to be indicating towards the apparent involvement of a relatively new Pakistan-based outfit, which could likely be a sleeper cell too.

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The investigation initially failed to find any link of the blast to any foreign outfit, even as speculation regarding the involvement of JeM was rife. However, now it has been established that funding for the attack came from Pakistan, sources said, however the identity of the outfit behind it, is now being ascertained. 

The Tribune had earlier reported that the arrested accused, a total eight of them, are undergoing sustained interrogation under NIA. 

Meanwhile, the doctor from Baramulla, Kashmir, who was arrested last week by the NIA in connection with the Red Fort blast case, worked in the same Al Falah University in Faridabad where Umer-un-Nabi — identified as the suicide bomber in the Delhi attack – also worked, investigators had said.

The anti-terror agency on December 9 had announced the arrest of the doctor in question, Bilal Naseer Malla, in the Delhi blast case, which the agency is currently investigating, thus making him the eighth accused to be arrested in the case.

Official sources said Malla from Shutloo at Rafiabad in Baramulla had completed his MBBS from Government Medical College, Srinagar, and registered himself with the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Council last year.

Sources said Malla moved from J&K to Al Falah University, where he began working as a junior resident in the paediatrics department. Sources also said the investigation had so far found that he had no previous involvement with militancy.

Investigators also believed that Malla was closely associated with Umer. “He knew Umer closely and was privy to what he (Umer) was doing…so he had an active role and association with Dr Umer,” said a source. On December 12, a Delhi court had remanded three doctors and a preacher who were arrested in connection with the November 10 blast, to 12 days of judicial custody.

Malla was also produced before Principal and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna to authenticate his voice sample. The four accused - Dr Muzammil Ganai, Dr Adeel Rather, Dr Shaheena Saeed and Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagay - were produced before the expiry of their four-day NIA custody granted on December 8. Umer was driving the explosive-laden i20 car that detonated outside the Red Fort on November 10.