The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has found a new lead to the Red Fort blast case. A severed ankle was found among the wreckage of the Hyundai i20, of Dr Umar-un-Nabi, the driver of the Hyundai i20 car that exploded on November 10, may have carried a triggering device in his shoe. 13 people were killed, and several others were injured in the attack.
Evidence points to shoe bomb
According to a report by the Times of India, the investigators discovered a shoe stuck under the driver's seat close to the right front tyre of the plane. It is reported that a metallic piece in the shoe is being analysed to determine whether it functioned as the trigger. The approach reportedly echoes the 2001 attempt by Richard Reid to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on a trans-Atlantic flight.
The authorities are also investigating the use of Triacetone Triperoxide, TATP, a very unstable explosive, “Mother of Satan”- sensitive to heat, friction, and static electricity. Three 9mm cartridges - two live and one spent- were recovered near the blast site. That kind of ammunition, prohibited for civilian use, is issued only to certain units, which begs more questions regarding the events before the explosion.
Umar Nabi: A professor to an alleged terror planner
Umar, a professor at Al-Falah University in Faridabad, was hiding in Hidayat Colony, Nuh, for ten days before the attack. He fled the campus following the arrest of his colleague, Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, by Jammu & Kashmir Police on October 30.
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As per the report by the Hindustan Times, sources say Umar and Muzammil had allegedly been planning the terror module for over two years. In addition, investigators are tracking a hawala network in Mewat, allegedly used by the radicalised doctors' group for money transfers. Nightlong raids were conducted in Nuh, Faridabad, and the surrounding areas following the new leads.
The NIA continues to investigate whether Umar acted alone or as part of a wider “white-collar” terror network that had been searching for a suicide bomber since last year.
