Investigators probing the deadly car bomb explosion near Delhi's iconic Red Fort on November 10 have uncovered deleted WhatsApp messages revealing the financial desperation of Adeel Rather, a key accused in the terror plot. The blast, which killed at least 15 people and injured over 20 others in a crowded tourist area, was carried out by a "white collar" terror module involving educated Kashmiri professionals. Rather, a doctor from Kashmir arrested in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur was identified as the module's "treasurer," allegedly contributing Rs 8 lakh toward the Rs 26 lakh operation funded by external handlers.

The recovered chats, exchanged between September 5 and 9—just a month before the attack—show Rather urgently pleading with a hospital staffer for his pending salary. In the first message on September 5, he wrote, "Good afternoon, sir... I had requested that the salary be credited... (I am) in dire need of money." Less than two hours later, he followed up: "Please transfer it to my account. I had given the account details earlier." These communications, extracted by a digital forensics team from the staffer's device, highlight Rather's personal financial strain, which sources suggest may have made him vulnerable to terrorist recruitment.

The following day, September 6, Rather persisted: "Good morning, sir. Please do it. I will be grateful." By afternoon, his tone grew more insistent: "Need salary ASAP, sir. In need of money." His final message in the thread, sent on September 9, read: "Please do it tomorrow. I really need it, sir." During National Investigation Agency (NIA) interrogations, Rather admitted his role in handling funds for the group, prompting probes into the sources of his payments and whether they were directly funneled to the terror network. The messages are now a pivotal link in tracing the module's financial trail.

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Rather, he was part of a sophisticated cell that included fellow Kashmiri doctors Muzammil Ganaie and Shaheen Saeed, arrested in Faridabad hours before the blast, and Umar-un-Nabi, who drove the explosive-laden vehicle. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, in coordination with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana counterparts, busted the module after recovering 2,900 kg of explosives in Faridabad—a cache that unraveled the broader conspiracy. The operation exposed how professionals exploited their positions to procure materials and logistics for the attack on a high-security site symbolizing India's independence.

The Red Fort blast, investigated under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act as a deliberate terrorist act, has heightened national security alerts, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing no leniency for the perpetrators. The Union Cabinet labeled it a "terrorist incident," directing swift justice while debunking misinformation about the cause. As the NIA deepens its inquiry into handlers possibly based abroad, the case underscores the evolving threat of radicalized urban networks, blending professional facades with violent extremism.

This revelation about Rather's motives adds a human layer to the probe, illustrating how economic pressures can intersect with ideological radicalization. With the nation still reeling from the loss—marked by international condolences and enhanced vigilance at public sites—the focus remains on preventing future vulnerabilities. The full forensic analysis of the chats could yield more leads, ensuring accountability for the tragedy that scarred Delhi's historic heart.

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