Introduction
In a chilling revelation, the 2023 Red Fort blast investigation has exposed a meticulously planned support network that enabled the alleged suicide bomber to execute the attack. The bomber, a 22-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir, relied on tech-savvy aides and logistical handlers for encrypted communication, bomb assembly, and a Delhi safe house—highlighting the operation’s sophistication.
The Attack and Immediate Aftermath
On December 22, 2023, a low-intensity explosion near the Red Fort’s Lahore Gate shook Delhi. While swift security intervention prevented casualties, forensic analysis confirmed an improvised explosive device (IED). Initially deemed a lone-wolf attack, an NIA probe revealed a far-reaching support network.
The Tech Support Network
The bomber communicated with at least three aides via encrypted apps like Signal and Telegram, receiving real-time guidance on evading surveillance, assembling the IED, and identifying weak security points.
Key findings:
– Coded language: Bomb referred to as “the gift,” Red Fort as “the wedding venue.”
– Deleted messages revealed remote-triggering instructions—a backup plan if the bomber hesitated.
– One aide, arrested in Jammu, confirmed cross-border involvement.
The Delhi Safe House
A safe house in Okhla, rented under a fake identity, served as the bomber’s hideout for a week. Stocked with supplies, including a disguised IED kit, the apartment was visited by two suspected handlers days before the blast.
- Landlord: “Paid rent in cash, kept to himself.”
- NIA probing potential sleeper cell links in Delhi.
Funding and Cross-Border Links
The operation was funded via cryptocurrency, with ₹5 lakh traced to offshore accounts (Dubai, Nepal). Interrogations revealed:
– Directions from a Pakistan-based handler via encrypted voice notes.
– Suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) involvement, though unconfirmed officially.
Security Lapses and Next Steps
The case exposes critical gaps in intelligence and urban surveillance. Authorities are now:
– Cracking down on unverified rentals in Delhi.
– Tracing Jammu-Kashmir leads to dismantle the network.
An NIA official stated: “We’re close to shutting this down.”
Conclusion: A New-Age Terror Blueprint
The Red Fort attack underscores how terror groups exploit technology, urban hideouts, and crypto funding. While the bomber is dead, his enablers remain at large—demanding smarter cyber surveillance and community vigilance.
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