NIA Arrests Imam and Associate from Uttarakhand in Connection with Delhi Red Fort Blast Investigation

15 individuals lost their lives in the Delhi explosion on November 10 (File)

Haldwani:

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has detained an imam and his associate from the Banbhulpura region in connection with the car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort, officials confirmed on Saturday.

According to officials, Delhi Police received critical information from Haldwani through mobile call records linked to Dr Umar Nabi, the primary suspect in the Red Fort explosion. This intelligence led to the arrests.

The two suspects, Mohammad Asif, who serves as the imam at the Bilali mosque, and Nazar Kamal, an electrician, were apprehended Friday night by NIA personnel with assistance from both Delhi and Haldwani police forces. Officials stated that both individuals have been transported to Delhi for further investigation.

Following these arrests, substantial police forces from multiple stations arrived in Banbhulpura, led by Haldwani City Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Katyal and Lal Kuan Deputy Superintendent of Police Deepshikha Agarwal.

Superintendent Katyal confirmed that security has been enhanced around the Bilali mosque and the imam's residence as a precautionary measure.

Officials also reported that NIA teams and Uttarakhand Police personnel visited a mosque in Nainital to interview additional persons of interest.

The investigation stems from a powerful explosion that tore through a slow-moving vehicle at a traffic signal near Delhi's Red Fort on November 10, resulting in 15 fatalities and numerous injuries.