Delhiites woke up to another day of toxic air on Tuesday, with the national capital’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping into the ‘very poor’ category at 344, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Out of the 37 monitoring stations across the city, four recorded AQI levels in the ‘severe’ range:

• Bawana: 426
• Wazirpur: 412
• Jahangirpuri: 418
• Vivek Vihar: 402

The CPCB forecast indicates that the air quality is likely to remain in the ‘very poor’ category over the next few days due to unfavourable meteorological conditions.

As per CPCB standards, an AQI of:

0–50 is “good”,

51–100 “satisfactory”,

101–200 “moderate”,

201–300 “poor”,

301–400 “very poor”, and

401–500 “severe”.

Weather Update:

The city recorded a minimum temperature of 9.6°C, which is 2.7°C below the season’s average. The maximum temperature is expected to settle around 26°C.

Two CRPF-run schools in the national capital received bomb threats on Tuesday morning after an unidentified caller phoned the Police Control Room (PCR) claiming that explosives had been planted on the premises, officials said.

The call, made around 9 am, warned that bombs had allegedly been placed in CRPF schools located in Prashant Vihar and Dwarka, leading to immediate mobilisation of local police, bomb disposal squads and the Delhi Fire Services.

“Upon receiving the call, teams were rushed to both locations and the school buildings were evacuated as a precautionary measure,” a senior police officer said.

Officials stated that the caller’s phone was switched off shortly after the threat was issued, and efforts are underway to trace the individual responsible.

After thorough inspection by bomb disposal teams and fire service personnel, no suspicious object was found at either location.

“The threat has been declared a hoax,” a Delhi Fire Services officer confirmed.

Police teams are now analysing call records and technical data to identify the caller and determine the motive behind the prank threat.

No injuries or property damage were reported in the incident.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Jasir Bilal Wani, an alleged key co-conspirator linked to the Red Fort car blast, which claimed 13 lives on November 10. The agency took Wani into custody in Srinagar after he allegedly collaborated with suicide bomber Umar un Nabi.

Wani, a resident of Qazigund in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, provided technical support for terror operations. His role included modifying drones and trying to fabricate rockets ahead of the tragic explosion. According to the NIA, Wani operates under the alias Danish.

The investigation into the Red Fort car blast expands as the NIA aims to unravel the conspiracy behind this heinous act. Investigators are probing multiple leads to identify all individuals associated with the terror plot, underscoring concerns about an interstate network linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed.

In earlier interrogations, Wani revealed that Umar had radicalised him over several months, convincing him to become a suicide bomber. The two met at a mosque in Kulgam last year. Their ensuing discussions led Wani to a rented accommodation near Al Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana.

Wani’s initial task was to function as an over-ground worker (OGW) for Jaish-e-Mohammed. However, Umar pushed him towards conducting a suicide attack. Wani ultimately backed out in April, citing financial struggles and his belief that suicide violated Islamic teachings.

This new arrest sheds light on the ongoing probe into a sophisticated interstate terrorist network linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed. Law enforcement agencies are urgently seeking further connections and possible future threats.

Umar, a 28-year-old from Pulwama, emerged as a significant figure within this network, which spans across Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Authorities believe he was planning a powerful VBIED (vehicle-borne improvised explosive device) attack, which could coincide with the December 6 anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition.

According to officials, Umar aimed to detonate the bomb either at a bustling location in Delhi or at a crowded religious site—and then disappear into the night.

Wani’s interrogation indicates that Umar’s radicalisation intensified following a 2021 trip to Turkiye with fellow accused Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie. Upon their return, the two, who are both associated with Al Falah University, began acquiring large amounts of chemicals, including 360 kg of ammonium nitrate and other explosive materials.

The December plot’s collapse began with a police investigation that led to Ganaie’s arrest and the recovery of explosives. This prompted panic within Umar’s ranks and culminated in the Red Fort blast, which tragically took 13 lives.

The unraveling of this interstate terror network started on October 19, following the appearance of Jaish-e-Mohammed posters in Bunpora and Nowgam areas near Srinagar. Police response, including a review of CCTV footage, resulted in the arrest of three locals who had been involved in past stone-pelting incidents.

The interrogation of these individuals led to the arrest of a former paramedic-turned-Imam, Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, from Shopian. Authorities allege that he played a crucial role in disseminating the posters and radicalising the doctors involved in the terror plans.

The NIA continues its extensive inquiry, focusing on dismantling the operational capabilities of Jaish-e-Mohammed in India.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday chaired the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council here and discussed issues concerning the states and Union territories of the region.

The Northern Zonal Council comprises the states and Union territories of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Chandigarh.

Chief Ministers Nayab Singh Saini (Haryana), Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (Himachal Pradesh), Bhagwant Mann (Punjab), Bhajan Lal Sharma (Rajasthan), Rekha Gupta (Delhi), Omar Abdullah (J&K), Punjab Governor and Administrator of Chandigarh Gulab Chand Kataria, Lieutenant Governors Manoj Sinha (J&K) and V K Saxena (Delhi) attended the meeting, officials said.

Issues like education, health, water, electricity, speedy investigation of cases of sexual offences against women and children, among others were discussed at the meeting, they said.

At the outset, the meeting observed a minute of silence to pay respect to those who lost their lives in the November 10 blast near the Red Fort.

Senior officials from the central and state governments and Union territories also attended the meeting.

The zonal councils provide an excellent forum for resolving and progressing issues and disputes between the Centre and the member states and Union territories, among the member states and Union territories, and within the zone, an official said.

In the meeting of the zonal council, broad issues of national importance, including the speedy investigation of cases of sexual offences against women and children and the implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) for their swift disposal are discussed.

Various regional-level common interest issues, such as strengthening nutrition, education, health, electricity, urban planning, and the cooperative system are also be discussed in the meeting.

The Northern Zonal Council is among the five zonal councils established under sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.

The Union home minister is the chairperson of the Northern Zonal Council. The chief minister of one member state (rotating every year) acts as the vice-chairperson.

From each member state, the governor nominates two ministers as members of the council.

Each Zonal Council has also formed a permanent committee at the level of chief secretaries.

Issues proposed by the states are initially presented to the permanent committee of the Zonal Council concerned for discussion. After consideration by the permanent committee, the remaining issues are then presented to the Zonal Council meeting for further deliberation.

The role of the zonal councils is advisory. However, over the past few years, these councils have proven to be an important factor in promoting healthy bonds of mutual understanding and cooperation in various fields.

With the cooperation of all state governments, central ministries and departments, a total of 63 meetings of the various zonal councils and their permanent committees have been held in the last 11 years, the official said. (Agencies)