Delhi Blast Case: Engineers of the Plot Used Secret ‘Dead-Drop’ Email System

The investigation into the deadly car bomb blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, which claimed 13 lives, is uncovering shocking details. Surprisingly, the masterminds behind this terror attack are not seasoned criminals but doctors. The i20 car used in the explosion was driven by Dr. Umar Mohammed. Doctors Mujammil Shakeel and Shahid Saeed were also involved in planning the attack.

What’s now creating a buzz is the secret communication method they used. The group relied on the old spy technique called the ‘dead-drop email method’—common among intelligence operatives and terror networks. All members used a single email account. Instead of sending messages, they typed their communication and saved it in the Drafts folder. Another member would log in, read the draft, and delete it. Since the message was never actually “sent,” it left almost no digital trace, making tracking extremely difficult.

Their communication didn’t stop at emails. To escape surveillance, they also used highly secure and hard-to-trace apps such as Threema and Telegram. Investigators say the doctors executed their digital communication with unusual precision, surprising even security agencies.

Authorities now believe the group had plans for a much larger attack. Days before the blast, Jammu & Kashmir police arrested Mujammil and Shahid. Raids on their rented locations near Delhi uncovered 3,000 kg of explosives, bomb-making materials, and even a rifle with ammunition in Shahid’s car. These arrests exposed the core terror module.

After the arrest of his associates, Dr. Umar Mohammed reportedly panicked. Fearing he would be caught next, he triggered the explosion near the Red Fort using the bomb he had with him. Officials suspect the group held secret meetings in Mujammil’s room at Al-Falah University and may have ties to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed.