A major breakthrough in the investigation of the car explosion near the historic monument in Delhi occurred as law-enforcement agencies identified two foreign operatives who allegedly coordinated with the main bomber and his associates. The blast, which targeted traffic near the monument and claimed 13 lives, is now being treated as an act of terrorism with suspected involvement of overseas handlers based in Turkey and Pakistan.
Investigators have linked the driver of the exploded vehicle, Dr Umar Mohammad, to the vehicle identified as the trigger for the attack. DNA evidence confirmed his identity. Two of his close associates, Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Saeed, have been placed in custody.
Agencies uncovered encrypted-app communications between the module and handlers bearing codenames “Dr Okasa” and “Dr Hashim”. Initial assessments suggest “Dr Hashim” was the Pakistani contact, while “Dr Okasa” was based in Turkey. There is a possibility the two codenames refer to the same individual. The foreign handlers are believed to have orchestrated the plot and guided the Indian cell through encrypted platforms such as Session, Telegram and Signal.
Investigation documents show that two of the accused doctors travelled to Turkey where they met senior operatives of the militant group Jaish‑e‑Mohammad and received training and ideological support. The module is described by officials as a “white-collar terror” cell because of the professional backgrounds of its members, who include doctors recruited from medical colleges in and around Delhi.
During a coordinated operation prior to the explosion, authorities recovered approximately 2,900 kg of bomb-making materials including ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate from the module’s storage locations in and around the Delhi-Gurugram corridor. Forensic analysis of the blast site revealed typical signs of a high-order explosion, with body trauma patterns consistent with close-range detonation.
Security agencies are now examining whether the car explosion represents the final phase of a broader national terror plan. Intelligence suggests that initial targets included crowded sites in Delhi and surrounding cities, with the intended impact comparable to previous high-profile attacks. The domestic network is said to have been active since at least early 2024, exploiting professional cover and travel opportunities for recruitment, radicalisation and logistics.
Diplomatic implications emerged as the United States Secretary of State described the attack as “clearly a terrorist incident” and lauded India’s professional approach to the investigation. He emphasised that assistance has been offered though New Delhi retains full command of the inquiry. Officials in New Delhi have not publicly named the handlers or disclosed the full chain of funding and command but confirm the involvement of overseas operatives is being treated as a major escalation. Agencies say they are working with foreign intelligence partners to trace digital footprints and finances tied to the network.
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