Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah delivered a strong statement on Thursday defending the residents of his state amid the expanding investigation into the Red Fort car blast. The political leader emphasized that not every person from Jammu and Kashmir should be characterized as a terrorist following the deadly explosion that rocked the national capital.
CM Abdullah's Strong Defense of Kashmiri People
Omar Abdullah clearly stated that only a small number of individuals are responsible for disturbing peace in the region. Speaking to news agency ANI, he expressed his frustration with the blanket characterization of all Kashmiris as terrorists. "Not every resident of Jammu and Kashmir is a terrorist. It is only a handful of people who have always tried to disturb the peace and brotherhood in Kashmir," Abdullah declared.
The Chief Minister strongly condemned the terror attack in Delhi while making a distinction between the general population and the actual perpetrators. "It is highly condemnable. No religion can justify the killing of innocents with such brutality," he stated, referring to the explosion that claimed 13 lives and left several others injured.
Medical Professionals Involved in Terror Module
Investigators have uncovered disturbing details about the backgrounds of those involved in the terror plot. The Hyundai i20 car used in the blast near the Red Fort metro station parking was allegedly driven by Mohammad Umar, a Kashmiri doctor suspected to be behind the deadly explosion.
In a concerning development, authorities have arrested Moulvi Irfan Ahmad Wagay, also known as Imam Irfan, from Shopian in south Kashmir. The cleric, who worked as a paramedic at Srinagar's Government Medical College, allegedly used his position to radicalize medical students and young doctors.
Security sources revealed that Wagay utilized his access at GMC and his prayer sessions in Srinagar's Nowgam area to identify susceptible individuals and push them toward radicalization. This revelation points to the emergence of what officials are calling a "white-collar" terrorist module targeting educated professionals.
International Connections and Investigation Details
The investigation into the Red Fort blast has taken an international turn with evidence pointing to a Turkey-based handler identified by the codename Ukasa. Security officials believe Ukasa served as the key connection between the Delhi-based terror module and handlers from Pakistan-backed outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH).
According to official sources, the conspiracy was initially planned in 2022 in Turkey, where Umar and three other operatives with links to banned organizations had traveled. Umar reportedly visited Turkey in March 2022, spending nearly two weeks in Ankara under the guidance of Ukasa.
Investigators revealed that Ukasa provided instructions on establishing covert cells and avoiding digital footprints. Their communications began on Telegram before moving to more secure encrypted apps like Signal and Session.
The terror plan allegedly involved multiple vehicle-borne IEDs followed by armed assaults. Security agencies have identified three vehicles connected to the plot:
- A Hyundai i20 that exploded near Red Fort on November 10
- A red Ford EcoSport recovered from Faridabad
- A Maruti Brezza that remains missing and potentially contains hidden explosives
Security Failures and Political Response
Chief Minister Abdullah questioned the security apparatus that allowed such an attack to occur, particularly given the educated background of the accused. "Have we not seen the professor of Universities before this? Who says that educated people don't get involved in such things? They do," he remarked.
The CM expressed shock at the apparent gaps in the system, noting that despite some suspects being expelled from their jobs, proper investigation and prosecution didn't follow. He emphasized the state government's commitment to assisting central authorities in maintaining normalcy while ensuring innocent people aren't unfairly targeted.
Abdullah called for severe punishment for those responsible while maintaining that the majority of Kashmiris want peace and stability in the region. His statements come at a crucial time when tensions are high following the devastating blast and subsequent investigations spreading across multiple states.
