HALDWANI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested an imam and his associate from Haldwani, on Friday, in connection with the deadly Red Fort blast in Delhi on November 10 where the explosives were kept in a car. Officials said the arrests followed a police lead derived from mobile-call data linked to the prime suspect.
Our correspondent reports, the arrested individuals, Mohammad Asif, the imam at Bilali Mosque in Haldwani’s Banbhulpura area, and electrician Nazar Kamal, were taken into custody late Friday night during a joint operation by NIA teams and Uttarakhand police. Both have since been transferred to Delhi for questioning.
Authorities said the arrests were prompted by suspicious call-detail data tied to the main accused, Dr Umar‑un‑Nabi, that traced back to Haldwani. “We received a credible clue from Haldwani which enabled us to zero in on the suspects,” said a senior NIA officer.
Security has been tightened in Haldwani and nearby areas, with additional forces deployed around the Bilali Mosque and the imam’s residence, our correspondent adds.
The November 10 explosion near the Red Fort, allegedly triggered by a car bomb loaded with high-intensity explosives, killed at least fifteen people and injured dozens of others. The blast shocked the national capital and sparked one of the largest terror probes in recent years.
The investigation so far has revealed a sophisticated network behind the attack, described by investigators as a “white-collar terror module”. Several suspects — including doctors, logistic handlers, and facilitators — have already been detained across multiple states.
Our correspondent reports that in the latest development following the Haldwani arrests, officials indicated they are widening the net. Law-enforcement teams reportedly visited a mosque in Nainital district to question other individuals for possible links to the blast network.
A senior police officer who asked not to be named said: “We are thoroughly tracing all leads, including phone records, recent travel, and possible financial transactions. Any person found connected with the terror module will be prosecuted under stringent laws.”
Meanwhile, residents in Haldwani expressed shock at the arrests. One local said: “We never expected such a grave incident would have links here. It’s disturbing to know that our town is part of this investigation.”
Meanwhile, law-enforcement agencies are working to establish whether the Haldwani suspects merely provided logistical support or had a deeper role in planning the attack. Sources said a detailed interrogation would be conducted once the accused are formally presented before a court in Delhi.
The NIA’s crackdown has already revealed involvement of several individuals across multiple states. In recent days, additional arrests have been made in Faridabad, Delhi, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. Each arrest has yielded more clues, including explosives caches, communication logs and mobility patterns, suggesting a trans-regional terror network.
Security experts believe the arrests from Uttarakhand underscore the danger of under-estimating terror networks’ reach. “This case shows that terror modules can have footprints spanning geographies, from urban metros to small towns,” said a national security analyst. “Effective intelligence and coordination across state borders remain critical.”
Our correspondent adds that the central government and law-enforcement agencies have vowed swift justice. Officials emphasised that investigators would pursue every lead, ensure transparency, and bring all involved persons to account under relevant counter-terror laws.
Dheeraj reports on governance, public services, jobs, and regional developments across Uttarakhand. He specialises in recruitment news, public-sector updates, and civic issues that impact everyday citizens. His reporting brings accuracy, context, and a grassroots perspective to local journalism.
