Dr Bilal Naseer Malla’s father is a serving officer, and his uncle a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Security personnel escort accused, with faces covered, in the car bomb blast near Red Fort while bringing them to the Patiala House Court, on November 22. ANI
Srinagar: In a major development in the investigation of the Delhi Red Fort blast, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested Dr. Bilal Naseer Malla, a resident of Shutloo, Rafiabad in Baramulla district of North Kashmir. He is the eighth accused detained in the case registered under RC-21/2025/ NIA/DLI in Delhi blast case.
The blast occurred on 10 November 2025, when a Hyundai i20 car laden with ammonium nitrate explosives detonated near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort metro station in New Delhi, killing at least 13 people and injuring over 20 others. The explosion destroyed nearby vehicles and sparked a massive fire, prompting shock and outrage across the capital. Authorities later declared the incident a terrorist act and invoked stringent antiterror laws in the probe.
According to the NIA, Dr. Bilal played a key role in the conspiracy behind the attack. He is alleged to have provided shelter and logistical support to the now-deceased main accused, Umar Un Nabi, who was reportedly driving the car that exploded. Investigators also accuse Dr. Bilal of destroying crucial evidence linked to the terror act. Sources revealed that Dr. Bilal had moved to Al-Falah University about two months before the blast, raising further questions about his activities and network.
The spot has been identified by investigators as a possible planning and coordination hub for the terror cell.
Adding to the surprise is Dr. Bilal’s family background: his father is a serving officer in the Jammu & Kashmir Police, and his uncle is a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police. This has prompted security agencies to widen the scope of their probe to include potential support networks involving individuals with professional and seemingly clean profiles.
The NIA’s investigation is ongoing, with officials working closely with central and state agencies to dismantle what they believe to be a well-organized module of white-collar operatives linked to the blast. Previous arrests in the case have included doctors, clerics, and other professionals allegedly tied to extremist groups.
