SRINAGAR: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Friday raided the Batamaloo residence of an air-conditioning technician previously arrested in connection with the Red Fort blast case, as part of efforts to uncover alleged weapon-supply links and possible ties to suicide bomber Dr. Umar Farooq, officials said.
The search was conducted at the home of Tufail Niyaz Bhat, son of Niyaz Bhat and a resident of Diyarwani, Batamaloo. According to officials, the operation is a follow-up to earlier arrests and is aimed at tracing the broader network believed to be involved in the case.
Bhat, already in custody, is suspected of having supplied a rifle to the module. Investigators are now focusing on mapping the weapon supply chain and identifying any facilitators who may have provided shelter, logistics, or technical support to the accused.
Sources said Bhat is believed to have provided the AK-47 rifle recovered from a locker allotted to Dr. Adeel Ahmad at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag. Dr. Adeel is currently in NIA custody as a key accused in the case.
