India

Intelligence for Better Decision Making

NIA Cracks Down on Jaish-e-Mohammed Cell After Deadly Red Fort Car Bombing

Dec. 11, 2025 | Non-Interstate Conflict & Security

The National Investigation Agency has intensified its crackdown on a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror cell following the November 10 car bomb attack near Delhi’s Red Fort.

**The NIA arrested Dr.**
Bilal Naseer Malla from Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, as the eighth suspect in the attack that killed 15 people and injured several others. Charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, he provided shelter and logistical support to the suicide bomber and destroyed evidence linked to the conspiracy.

**Investigators say that Dr.**
Bilal harboured Dr. Umar Un Nabi—a native of Jammu and Kashmir and former employee at Faridabad’s Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences & Research Centre—before the bombing. They allege he helped conceal materials that would have tied the plot back to its handlers.

**The probe focuses on a Jaish-e-Mohammed module recruiting radicalised professionals, particularly white-collar workers.**
Jammu and Kashmir Police first uncovered the network while investigating Jaish posters threatening security personnel in Srinagar’s Nowgam area. That inquiry led to the October 19 arrests of Arif Nisar Dar, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar, followed by the detention of a cleric known as “Mufti Sahab,” exposing the plot’s religious and ideological underpinnings.

**Before Dr.**
Bilal’s arrest, the NIA had already detained seven individuals: medical professionals Dr. Muzzamil Ganaie, Dr. Adeel Rather, and Dr. Shaheena Sayeed; religious preacher Maulvi Irfan; and two associates, Amir Rashid Ali and Jasir Bilal Wani (alias Danish). Investigators determined that Umar Un Nabi used Amir Rashid Ali’s identity to acquire the vehicle laden with explosives.

**Authorities also linked this terror module to a major cache of explosive material in Faridabad.**
Working with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana forces, Jammu and Kashmir Police seized about 2,900 kilograms of volatile chemicals at Al Falah University shortly before the Red Fort bombing. On November 15, an accidental detonation of the recovered materials killed nine people, including forensic and police officials handling the evidence.

**Based on intelligence from these suspects, the NIA has carried out coordinated raids in multiple locations, including Mattan in Anantnag, southern Kashmir.**
It continues collaborating with central and state investigative agencies, along with the J&K State Investigation Agency in Srinagar, to map the full extent of the conspiracy and identify everyone involved in planning and executing the attack.

**Dr.**
Bilal Naseer Malla appeared before a court and was remanded to NIA custody for seven days. Investigators also secured a seven-day custody extension for Amir Rashid Ali as they build prosecutable cases against all members of the Jaish-linked network.

Supreme Court Clarifies Citizenship Application Under CAA and Electoral Roll Procedures

Dec. 11, 2025 | Governance & Law

India’s Supreme Court has delineated the procedures for acquiring citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, and clarified the Election Commission’s role in electoral roll revisions.

**On December 9, 2025, the Supreme Court affirmed that religious minority migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh cannot automatically acquire Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.**
Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasized that the Act grants only the right to apply for citizenship; it does not itself confer citizenship. He directed that each applicant prove minority status in the country of origin, establish legal residence in India, and document their status on entry. Authorities may grant citizenship only after verifying these statutory requirements.

**An NGO, Aatmadeep, challenged administrative delays in issuing citizenship certificates and protested the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of West Bengal’s electoral rolls.**
It argued that refusing to accept acknowledgment receipts for CAA applications and dragging out procedures risked rendering beneficiaries stateless and disenfranchised despite Parliament’s explicit protection of these groups. In response, the Court issued notices to the Election Commission of India, the Union Government, and the West Bengal State Election Commission, seeking explanations for procedural hurdles faced by CAA applicants. Further hearings the following week will examine how naturalization, once granted, could facilitate inclusion of these individuals in the electoral rolls, subject to verification and legal procedures.

**The Court also directed the Election Commission to justify why it exempted Assam voters from documentary proof requirements during the roll revision, while enforcing such proof in other states.**
Given Assam’s history of illegal migration from Bangladesh, the Bench demanded an explanation by December 16, 2025.

**In a separate public interest litigation over interim inclusion of CAA beneficiaries in West Bengal’s voter list, the Court ruled that voting rights cannot precede formal citizenship and refused to allow interim electoral participation.**
The Bench urged the government to expedite citizenship application scrutiny and indicated that the Attorney General or Solicitor General may assist at the next hearing on December 17, 2025.

**Clarifying the Election Commission’s role, the Court stated that determining citizenship status falls to the government or Foreigners Tribunals, not to the Commission.**
However, the Commission may investigate cases of doubtful voter eligibility. The Court reaffirmed that constitutional citizenship remains the sole prerequisite for voting under the Representation of the People Act, distinct from statutory requirements of residence and age, and rejected arguments that a self-declaration and proof of residence suffice. It warned that without an inquisitorial function to verify citizenship, voter lists risk including illegal migrants.

Monitored Intelligence for India - Dec. 12, 2025

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Erudite Risk takes an all risks approach to intelligence reporting. We categorize key intelligence into one of 40 different risk intelligence categories.

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H1B visa interviews of thousands of applicants in India cancelled triggering outrage

The Hindu | English | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | Regulation

Thousands of H-1B visa interviews scheduled in India from mid-December onwards have been abruptly postponed by several months to allow for enhanced scrutiny of applicants’ social media and online profiles. Applicants who had interviews set as early as December 15 are now being rescheduled to dates as late as March 2026 or May 2026, causing significant delays in their return to the U.S. Many affected individuals are currently in India and cannot travel back without a valid visa.

The U.S. embassy in India has advised applicants not to attend consulate offices on their original interview dates, warning that admittance will be denied. The cancellations impact not only H-1B applicants but also other visa categories under new social media vetting norms. The exact number of affected applicants remains unknown. Numerous applicants have expressed frustration on social media about the sudden and lengthy rescheduling.

Immigration attorney Emily Neumann criticized the unpredictable nature of the visa appointment process, highlighting the difficulties created for businesses and employees who need to travel urgently. This move aligns with the Trump administration's prior tightenings of the H-1B visa program, including increased fees and intensified immigration vigilance. Indians constitute about 71% of approved H-1B applications in recent years, underlining the scale of the impact.

India gives tepid response to Russian push for Su-57, long-range drones and submarines

The Hindu | English | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

Russia's recent efforts to enhance defence cooperation with India, which included offers of the Su-57 stealth fighter, long-range drones, and submarines, received a lukewarm response from Indian officials. Despite expectations during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India, no significant defence deals involving these advanced platforms were finalized, though 19 agreements to boost bilateral trade were signed. India remains focused on developing indigenous defence products rather than procuring Russian equipment.

The restrained interest coincides with India’s strong push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s transformation in domestic capacity, with defence production soaring to ₹1.51 lakh crore in 2025 from ₹46,000 crore in 2014, and exports increasing to nearly ₹24,000 crore over the past decade. This shift reflects India’s move away from heavy dependence on arms imports.

Although Russia’s Geran drones, derived from Iran’s Shahed-136 kamikaze drones and used extensively by Moscow in Ukraine, were part of the proposals, Indian military services and manufacturers showed little interest. In late October, the India–Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation held its 23rd meeting in Moscow, resulting in a protocol for new collaboration areas. However, major defence deals, including those for the Su-57 and S-500 air defence system, remain elusive.

Sovereign control a valid concern: Satya Nadella

Times of India | English | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced a $17.5 billion investment in India over four years, focusing on artificial intelligence and cloud technologies. He emphasized India's legitimate need for sovereign control and local resilience in technology deployment, stating that countries like India want to control their own technological destiny. Nadella highlighted the launch of Microsoft's Sovereign Public Cloud in India, which offers enhanced governance, policy enforcement, and compliance through built-in guardrails.

Nadella praised India's unique "virtuous cycle" created by its policies, digital public infrastructure, and large domestic market, which he said encourages vibrant private sector participation in sectors such as payments, healthcare, and insurance. He reaffirmed Microsoft’s commitment to supporting India's AI ambitions through this integrated technology and policy environment.

Regarding infrastructure, Nadella expressed excitement about the expansion of Microsoft’s data center capacity in India. He mentioned existing centers in Pune, Chennai, and Mumbai and revealed plans for a new India South Central cloud region in Hyderabad, expected to launch next year. He also noted discussing these initiatives with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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