Delhi blast probe: NIA raids 8 locations in J&K; search under way at suspect Jasir Bilal Wani’s house

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA), along with Jammu and Kashmir police, on Monday carried out raids at eight locations in Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts of Kashmir in connection with the Delhi terror blast case, including a major search at the house of key suspect Jasir Bilal Wani.As per news agency PTI ,the operation is linked to what investigators describe as a “white collar terror” network, with multiple teams carrying out searches simultaneously. The raid at Wani’s house is currently underway.Jasir Bilal Wani, also known by the alias Danish, emerged as one of the key co-conspirators in the November 10 Red Fort car blast.A political science graduate from Qazigund in Anantnag district,. According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Wani worked closely with Nabi — a 28-year-old doctor from Pulwama — in planning Hamas-style drone attacks and developing small, crude rockets for coordinated blasts.Investigators say Wani was the technical backbone of the module. He modified drones, upgraded their batteries and camera systems, and attempted to integrate small explosive payloads designed for deployment in crowded public areas. The designs, NIA says, closely mirrored tactics used by Hamas and ISIS in conflict zones across the Middle East.Wani met Nabi in October last year at a mosque in Kulgam, where he was allegedly drawn into the group. Initially, other operatives wanted him to serve as an over-ground worker for Jaish-e-Mohammed. But Nabi allegedly indoctrinated him into becoming a suicide bomber, pushing him toward a more radical role.By April 2025, Wani backed out, citing financial strain and religious prohibitions against suicide — though the NIA believes his involvement in technical preparations continued.His arrest follows the detention of another key associate, Amir Rashid Ali, in whose name the blast vehicle — an i20 — was registered. Ali allegedly arranged a safe house and provided logistical support to Nabi.