Investigative authorities are said to be preparing to seek an Interpol Red Corner Notice against Dr Muzaffar Rather, an accused in the ‘white-collar’ terror module, for allegedly providing logistical support and funding for the November 10 blast near Delhi’s Red Fort.
Dr Muzaffar, originally from Qazigund, has already been declared a proclaimed offender by a special NIA court. He is believed to have fled India in August and may currently be in Afghanistan.He is said to have playedkey role in funding, communication and planning while operating from Afghan soil.Rather, a paediatrician and a resident of south Kashmir. His brother, Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather, is already in custody and is considered another major conspirator in the network. Adeel is also wanted in connection with the Red Fort attack.
Officials said he acted as a link between Jaish-e-Mohammed handlers and the inter-state terror network, providing logistical support, funding, communication, and planning for the November 10 Red Fort car blast.Officials further alleged that Rather was a close associate of Dr Umar-un-Nabi, who drove the explosive-laden car that detonated outside the Red Fort, killing over a dozen people. According to the investigation, Rather remained in constant contact with the attackers and facilitated communication with handlers based in Afghanistan, including assistance related to bomb-making and operational tactics.
Rather is believed to have left India in mid-August last year, first travelling to Dubai before crossing into Afghanistan, where he is suspected to be hiding. Investigators say interrogation of other arrested accused revealed that Rather helped raise funds for the terror module and contributed around Rs 6 lakh towards the plot.
In 2021, Rather had reportedly travelled to Turkey along with Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie and Umar. Although they did not enter Afghanistan at that time, officials believe the trip was part of their radicalisation and preparatory activities. After returning, the group allegedly procured large quantities of chemicals, including ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulphur, much of which was stored near a university campus in Faridabad.
The terror plot began to unravel after the arrest of Ganaie and the seizure of explosives during a separate investigation, which officials say may have triggered panic and led to the premature blast near the Red Fort.
The broader network came to light following the appearance of extremist posters in Srinagar in October last year. Subsequent arrests and interrogations exposed an inter-state terror module with links extending to Haryana and abroad, culminating in the seizure of nearly 2,900 kg of explosive material in November.
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