Turkiye Denies Links to Delhi Car Blast Radicalisation Claims

Turkiye has categorically rejected media reports linking it to radicalisation efforts targeting India. On March 13, 2024, the country’s Directorate of Communications described such claims as “purely disinformative.” This response comes in the wake of a car explosion in Delhi that killed 12 people and injured several others.

The blast occurred near the Red Fort Metro Station on March 11, 2024, when an explosive device detonated in a slow-moving vehicle. Following the incident, investigators revealed that two key suspects connected to the blast had recently travelled to Turkiye. According to the news agency PTI, the Directorate stated that allegations of Turkiye’s involvement in terrorism are part of a “malicious disinformation campaign aimed at damaging bilateral relations.”

Investigators are focusing on the backgrounds of the suspects, identified as Dr. Umar Nabi, the driver of the vehicle, and Dr. Muzammil Ganaie, who was arrested in Faridabad. Both are believed to be pivotal figures in a “white-collar terror module” allegedly composed of medical professionals. Reports indicate that this group had intended to target the Red Fort on Republic Day but had conducted prior reconnaissance missions around the historic site.

The investigation has unveiled that the suspects had joined encrypted Telegram groups, which are thought to be operated by foreign handlers, including a member of Jaish-e-Mohammad, a Pakistan-based terrorist organization. Sources suggest that these channels served as platforms for radicalisation and operational planning.

According to officials involved in the probe, the suspects received instructions to disperse across India upon their return from Turkiye and select targets for future attacks. Investigators are apprehensive that the module was aiming to execute large-scale terror incidents reminiscent of the 2008 attacks in Mumbai.

In addition to the planned attack on the Red Fort, the group had reportedly considered carrying out assaults during the recent Diwali festivities but failed to materialize those plans. The ongoing investigation seeks to unravel any international connections that might have offered logistical or ideological support to the suspects.

The situation continues to evolve as authorities work to uncover the full scope of the plot and identify any additional individuals involved. Turkiye’s firm denial of the allegations adds a layer of complexity to an already tense scenario, highlighting the challenges in addressing terrorism and radicalisation across borders.