NEW DELHI, Nov 26, (AP): Hours after police in Indian-controlled Kashmir released shopkeeper Bilal Ahmed Wani but kept his son in custody in this month's deadly New Delhi blast investigation, Wani set himself on fire, members of his family said. The 55-year-old dry fruit seller was treated at three hospitals but died a day later.

His relatives, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they feared reprisals from authorities for talking to media, said stress and humiliation over the detentions drove him to self-immolation. Police said Wani died due to "self-inflicted burn injuries.” The Nov 10 explosion near New Delhi’s historic Red Fort killed at least 10 people and wounded 32 others.

Indian investigators quickly focused on Kashmir, launching sweeping raids, detaining suspects and questioning thousands for possible links to what authorities called a "heinous terror incident.” Hundreds still remain in custody. The blast occurred hours after police in Indian-controlled Kashmir said they had dismantled a suspected militant cell operating from the region to the outskirts of New Delhi.

Officers initially arrested at least seven people, including two Kashmiri doctors, and seized a large quantity of bombmaking material in Faridabad, a city near the capital. On Nov. 14, some of the explosives seized in Faridabad and brought to a police station in Kashmir's Srinagar city detonated, killing at least nine people.

Authorities were still investigating the police station blast but the region’s top police officer, Nalin Prabhat, ruled out any sabotage, indicating mishandling of the explosive material may have caused the explosion. The New Delhi blast set off a sweeping security crackdown in Kashmir, marked by raids, mass questioning and dozens of detentions.

Police detained Wani’s eldest son, student Jasir Bilal Wani, on Nov. 14. A day later, authorities held Wani, his younger son and his brother, who is a physics lecturer. Wani and the younger son were released that evening, and his brother was freed after Wani’s death. Wani’s relatives said the men were innocent and accused authorities of using them as scapegoats.