Mobile Data Shows Delhi Blast Suspect Tracked Crowd, Patrol Routes For Weeks Before 10/11 Red Fort Attack

Investigators have uncovered that Dr. Muzammil Ganaie, one of the suspects arrested in the Faridabad terror module case, conducted multiple reconnaissance visits to the Red Fort area in January 2025 - weeks before Republic Day. The revelation emerged after Delhi Police accessed his mobile location data and surveillance footage.

Red Fort, a 17th-century Mughal fortress located in Old Delhi, is a high-security zone and a symbolic site for national events, including the Republic Day parade. Its proximity to Lal Qila Metro Station and Netaji Subhash Marg makes it a densely populated area with heavy police presence.

Mobile Data Shows Pattern of Surveillance

According to senior officials, Dr. Ganaie's movements around Red Fort were not casual. His visits coincided with increased public activity and routine security drills in the lead-up to January 26. Investigators believe he was assessing crowd behavior, patrol routes, and access points - a typical pre-attack survey.

"These visits were part of a detailed reconnaissance ahead of a planned attack on Republic Day," said a senior police officer. "Heightened security may have disrupted the original plan."

Suspect Was Not Alone

Dr. Umar Mohammad Nabi, the man believed to have driven the Hyundai i20 that exploded near Red Fort on November 10, reportedly accompanied Dr. Ganaie during some of these visits. Authorities are now investigating whether other module members also participated in surveillance or provided logistical support.

Blast Linked to Earlier Surveillance

The November 10 explosion, which killed 12 and injured over 20, occurred near Gate No. 1 of Lal Qila Metro Station. The blast originated from a Hyundai i20 loaded with ammonium nitrate - the same material seized earlier that day from two rented properties in Faridabad.

Investigators believe the explosion may have been triggered in panic after the arrests of Dr. Ganaie and Dr. Adeel Rather. The blast bore signs of a coordinated strike, not an isolated act.

NIA Takes Over

With the case spanning multiple states and involving radicalised professionals, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe. Authorities are now analyzing digital footprints, financial transactions, and mobile data dumps to trace the full extent of the network.