New Delhi- An Interpol Red Corner Notice may soon be issued against Dr Muzaffar Rather, an accused in the so-called white-collar terror module, after investigators identified him as a key co-conspirator in the November 10 blast near the Red Fort, officials said on Sunday.
Rather, a paediatrician by profession and a resident of south Kashmir, has already been declared a proclaimed offender by a special National Investigation Agency court. Investigators allege that he provided critical logistical support, funding and communication assistance for the attack while operating from outside India.
According to officials, Rather played a central role in supporting Dr Umar-un-Nabi, who was driving the explosive-laden car that detonated outside the Red Fort, killing more than a dozen people. The alleged support included funding, encrypted communications and coordination with handlers based in Afghanistan.
Officials said Rather emerged as a primary conspirator who orchestrated key aspects of the plot after fleeing India. Investigators have traced a trail of logistics, communications and radicalisation efforts leading to suspected safe havens in Afghanistan, where Rather is believed to be hiding.
The probe has revealed that Umar carried out the suicide attack with assistance from Rather and Afghanistan-based handlers, who allegedly provided technical guidance related to bomb-making and operational planning. Officials said Rather remained in constant contact with the operatives and facilitated their communication with external handlers.
Investigators said Rather left India in mid-August last year, weeks before the Delhi blast. He first travelled to Dubai and later crossed into Afghanistan. During interrogation, other arrested accused allegedly disclosed that Rather helped raise funds for the terror module and contributed around Rs 6 lakh towards the financial pool of the plot.
In 2021, Rather had travelled to Turkey along with Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie and Umar. Although the group did not enter Afghanistan at that time, the trip is viewed by investigators as part of early radicalisation and preparatory efforts to establish links with foreign handlers.
After returning, the group allegedly began procuring large quantities of chemicals from the open market, including ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulphur. Officials said around 360 kg of these chemicals were stored near the Al Falah University campus in Faridabad, where some of the accused were employed.
The conspiracy began to unravel after Srinagar police detected the appearance of Jaish-e-Mohammad posters in Bunpora, Nowgam, on the outskirts of Srinagar in October last year. A case was registered, and CCTV footage led to the arrest of three local men with prior stone-pelting cases.
Their interrogation led investigators to Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic turned imam from Shopian, who allegedly supplied the posters and used his access to radicalise the doctors. The trail eventually reached Al Falah University in Faridabad, resulting in the arrest of Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Sayeed and the seizure of nearly 2,900 kg of explosive material in November.
Officials said the seizure and subsequent arrests may have caused panic among the accused, leading to the premature detonation of the explosive-laden vehicle outside the Red Fort. Investigations into the larger inter-state and cross-border terror network are continuing.
