Pune IT Engineer Arrested by ATS in Solapur-Bomb Blast Probe

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad has arrested IT engineer Zuber Hangargekar in Solapur in connection with the Delhi Red Fort car bomb explosion. The probe links him with banned terror groups and radicalisation networks.

PUNE, 14 November 2025 – The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad has arrested IT engineer Zuber Hangargekar in Solapur as part of its investigation into the car bomb explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort. The blast, which killed several people, triggered a nationwide probe, and officers say Hangargekar’s digital activity and alleged links to banned radical networks placed him under suspicion. He had been living and working in Pune, while maintaining connections in Solapur, where the ATS carried out coordinated searches before taking him into custody.

Investigators recovered laptops, mobile phones and storage devices that, according to sources, contain downloads of radical material and online communication believed to be tied to foreign-based handlers. Officers are now examining whether he played a direct role in the blast or if he provided technical or logistical support from Maharashtra. He has been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other national security laws, and is currently in judicial custody as interrogation continues.

The Red Fort blast forced security agencies to widen the investigation across multiple states, and this arrest adds a fresh layer to the expanding case. Officials are looking into potential financial trails, encrypted chats and cross-border communication that could connect the suspect to a broader network. They say early indications suggest he may have been part of an online radicalisation chain and that his technical background made him useful to those involved in planning or facilitating the attack. Forensic experts are analysing devices seized from both Pune and Solapur, and more arrests may follow as new evidence surfaces.

Authorities believe the case reflects a worrying trend of technically skilled individuals being drawn into extremist networks through digital platforms. Intelligence officers have repeatedly warned that radical groups are increasingly relying on educated recruits who can manage digital operations, online propaganda, communication security and financial routing. This arrest reinforces those concerns and has prompted agencies to review the digital security posture in technology hubs like Pune.

Officials emphasise that the case is still developing and that information will be released only after clear verification due to the sensitivity of national security investigations. They have urged the public to avoid speculation and rely on official updates from the police and central agencies. Meanwhile, security has been tightened in several key locations in Maharashtra, and surveillance measures have been increased around transport hubs and public venues.

The investigation is expected to expand further as agencies map Hangargekar’s contacts, past movements and digital interactions. More details will emerge once cross-state coordination between Delhi Police, Maharashtra ATS and central intelligence units progresses. For now, the arrest marks a significant step in tracing how a high-impact terror attack in the capital may have received support from individuals operating in other parts of the country.

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