Aide of Delhi suicide bomber arrested; IED car was in his name

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested the close aide of the suspected suicide bomber involved in the November 9 Delhi blast, marking a major breakthrough in the ongoing probe. The arrested man, identified as an associate of the bomber, had allegedly procured and registered the car that was later used as the vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).

According to investigators, the suspect had been in touch with the suicide attacker in the weeks leading up to the explosion, which took place near a Central government office and left the security establishment on high alert. Officials said the bomber died on the spot due to the impact of the blast.

Car linked directly to the aide

The NIA found that the white hatchback used to carry the IED was purchased under the aide’s name, strengthening suspicions of his direct involvement in the conspiracy. Forensic teams recovered remains of the vehicle and explosive residue, which were matched with registration databases and digital trail evidence.

Sources added that the man had attempted to distance himself from the bomber after the blast, but electronic surveillance and phone records indicated that the two had coordinated both logistics and planning.

NIA tightening the investigation

The agency has conducted multiple searches across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring regions since the incident. Officials are exploring whether the arrested aide was part of a larger radical module or acted as a facilitator.

Preliminary findings indicate that the suicide bomber may have been influenced by extremist propaganda online, though investigators have not ruled out the possibility of foreign links.

More arrests likely

NIA sources said that with the aide now in custody, the agency is closer to piecing together the full chain of events that led to the attack. More arrests are expected as the agency analyses recovered devices, financial trails and communication channels.

Security has been ramped up across the capital, with agencies coordinating closely to prevent any copycat attempts.