New Delhi: In the ongoing probe into the car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, agencies have made a shocking discovery. The arrested suspect, Muzammil Shakil Ganaie from Pulwama, used a domestic flour mill machine and basic electrical devices to prepare the explosive mix. Investigators seized the tools from a rented room in Faridabad belonging to a taxi driver. The equipment included a small grinding unit commonly used at home. Officials say this indicates the bomb-making process was happening for a considerable period without drawing attention. This finding has shifted the course of investigation dramatically.
What shocking method was used
During questioning, Ganaie reportedly confessed to grinding urea in a flour mill to convert it into fine powder. He then used an electrical device to refine it further and isolate ammonium nitrate. This method is usually not associated with such sophisticated explosive preparation. Police said the accused conducted the process in secrecy inside the rented room. On 9 November, the room was raided, and around 360 kilograms of ammonium nitrate and other materials were recovered. Authorities now believe this powder was later used for assembling the car bomb.
Who provided the crucial lead
The flour mill and electrical machines were recovered from the residence of a taxi driver in Faridabad. He was taken into custody for interrogation by the National Investigation Agency. The driver claimed he had met Ganaie four years earlier when he visited Al-Falah Medical College for his son’s treatment. Investigators suspect the accused gradually developed trust and used the property for storing devices. This connection has helped agencies trace the entire supply chain. They are now tracking additional people linked with him.
What happened in the deadly attack
The blast took place near the Red Fort area and was identified as a suicide bombing. The attacker, Omar Un Nabi, was driving the vehicle and died on the spot. He was reportedly a doctor from Kashmir and had connections with Al-Falah University. Fifteen people were killed in the explosion. CCTV footage and call records are being studied in detail. Officials are now assessing how the material was transported undetected. Investigators believe the bomb was activated shortly before impact.
Was the chemical stockpile larger
Just hours before the Delhi blast took place, Jammu and Kashmir Police busted a major terror module. They recovered nearly 2,900 kilograms of explosive substances, including ammonium nitrate. Agencies suspect that a part of the seized compound, or an earlier batch from the same source, may have been used in the Delhi attack. The material found at the Faridabad location closely matches earlier samples. This has raised concerns about a wider supply network. Security agencies are now focusing on tightening chemical monitoring.
How long was the plan in motion
Investigators believe the preparation started months before the blast. Local sources said the suspect rarely interacted with neighbours to avoid suspicion. They used ordinary machines so that no one would doubt their activities. Intelligence officers state that this low-cost, household method makes detection difficult. Such operations are usually done in isolated industrial setups. The use of domestic machinery marks a concerning shift in tactics. Agencies have ordered cross-checks in nearby rental spaces.
What’s next for investigators
The NIA and Delhi Police are now tracing funding routes and external handlers. Special teams are also checking data related to border movement and sleeper cell activity. Experts suggest the accused may have received online guidance on chemical handling. Forensic analysis of recovered material is underway. High-alert zones have been expanded across multiple cities. Officials have warned that similar improvised techniques could be used again. Further arrests are expected as interrogation continues.