Red Fort blast: Accused used ‘ghost’ SIM cards to communicate with Pakistani handlers

The outcome of the probe formed the basis for the DoT to issue a directive on November 28 last year, mandating that app-based communication services like WhatsApp be continuously linked to an active, physical SIM card within the device.

Investigations into the "white-collar" terror module linked to the blast near Delhi's Red Fort on November 10 last year show that highly educated doctors used a sophisticated web of "ghost" SIM cards and encrypted apps to coordinate with Pakistani handlers, officials claimed on Sunday (January 4, 2026).

The outcome of the investigations essentially formed the basis for the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to issue a sweeping directive on November 28 last year, mandating that app-based communication services like WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal must be continuously linked to an active, physical SIM card within the device.

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Dual-phone protocol