The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Yasir Ahmad Dar as the ninth accused in the Delhi Red Fort blast case. The arrest marks another major step in the investigation into the terror conspiracy that shook the national capital.
Yasir Ahmad Dar was produced before the Patiala House Court in Delhi. The court remanded him to NIA custody till December 26. Investigators say his role was crucial in planning the attack and covering up evidence linked to the terror module.
Who is Yasir Ahmad Dar?
Yasir Ahmad Dar is accused of being part of a “white-collar” terror network linked to the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed group. According to investigators, he allegedly helped orchestrate the suicide bombing and played a role in destroying evidence after the attack.
NIA officials believe Dar acted behind the scenes and assisted other accused in logistics and coordination. His arrest follows weeks of investigation across multiple states.
What is the Delhi Red Fort Blast Case?
The Delhi Red Fort blast took place on November 10. A white Hyundai i20 car exploded while in motion near the Red Fort area. The blast killed 15 people and injured more than two dozen others.
Investigators later confirmed that the vehicle was driven by a suicide bomber. The explosion caused panic in one of the most sensitive areas of the national capital.
Who Was the Suicide Bomber?
The NIA forensically identified the suicide bomber as Umar Un Nabi. He was a resident of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. He worked as an Assistant Professor in the General Medicine Department at Al Falah University in Faridabad.
Investigators say Nabi drove the car loaded with ammonium nitrate fuel oil before detonating the explosive device. Another vehicle linked to him has also been seized and is under forensic examination.
Other Accused in the Red Fort Blast Case
The arrest of Yasir Ahmad Dar comes days after the NIA arrested Dr Bilal Naseer Malla from Baramulla. He is the eighth accused in the case.
Other accused include doctors and religious figures alleged to have played roles in radicalisation and logistics. These include Dr Muzammil Ganai, Dr Adeel Rather, Dr Shaheena Saeed, and Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagay. Amir Rashid Ali is named as the original registered owner of the car used in the blast.
Investigation Across Multiple States
The NIA continues to investigate the case with help from Delhi Police, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Haryana Police, and Uttar Pradesh Police. So far, investigators have examined 73 witnesses, including those injured in the blast.
The probe has extended across several states as agencies track financial trails, communication links, and vehicle movements.
Court Raises Concerns Over Vehicle Transfers
The Delhi High Court recently pulled up the Delhi government over poor regulation of used vehicle transfers. The court noted that the car used in the blast changed hands multiple times but remained registered in the original owner’s name. This lapse raised serious concerns about gaps in vehicle tracking and security.
What Happens Next?
Yasir Ahmad Dar remains in NIA custody as investigators question him further. Officials believe more arrests could follow as the probe widens. The case continues to highlight the evolving nature of terror networks and the role of educated individuals in planning attacks.
