Pulwama, Nov 11 (NationPress) The relatives of Umar Rashid, who has been taken into custody regarding the car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort Metro Station, conveyed that he had recently reached out to them, stating they “don’t know anything” about the ongoing investigation.

This announcement follows the apprehension of Umar Rashid (30) and his sibling Aamir, who are implicated in the blast and are also said to have assisted the suspected Delhi suicide bomber, Dr Umar. Additionally, another suspect, Tariq Malik (44), is also in custody. Aamir was employed by the Power Development Department, while Umar worked as a plumber.

In a conversation with IANS, a family member of Umar Rashid shared, “I urged him to return home, and he mentioned he would come back in two or three days. I pressured him to return the next day, but he said he had exams and wished to concentrate on his studies. He informed us he would be at the library studying for his exams, so we didn’t want to disrupt him.”

The family member went on to state, “On Friday, he called me and said he would reach out again later. During that phone call, he inquired about our mother. I again encouraged him to come home, and he reiterated he would be back in two or three days. He sounded entirely normal and not at all anxious. We are unaware of the details in this case, and he has never exhibited the characteristics of someone involved in such activities. What can I say or how can I judge him?”

The families and relatives of those from Kashmir implicated in the blast or conspiracy have also expressed complete ignorance regarding the involvement of these individuals in terrorism.

Dr Mohd Umar, who reportedly perished in the blast when the i20 car he was driving exploded near the Red Fort, hailed from a modest background in Koil village in Pulwama district.

Umar’s mother, Shamima, and his two brothers, Zahoor and Ashiq, have been taken into custody for interrogation and DNA matching. Dr Umar is believed to have executed the suicide blast, likely in a state of panic following the arrest of his associates, Dr Muzamil and Dr Adil.

Residents in Koil village described Mohd Umar as a hard-working, studious individual who did not demonstrate any signs of terrorist inclinations, although he was profoundly religious since his adolescence.

The father of Mohd Umar is mentally challenged and lost his government teaching position due to his declining mental health.

Neighbors noted that Umar’s family had believed their hardships were ending after he secured a job following the completion of his MBBS at the esteemed Government Medical College (GMC) in Srinagar.