Red Fort blast: How police traced the link to suspect Dr Umar Un Nabi?

PTC Web Desk:  The car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort that killed 12 persons and injured 21 others on Monday evening has been traced to a doctor from Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, who allegedly had connections with a terror module operating in Haryana’s Faridabad.

According to officers from the Delhi Police Special Cell, the doctor, identified as Dr Umar Un Nabi, was likely driving the white Hyundai i20 when it exploded near Lal Qila Metro Station. The blast was powerful enough to damage nearby vehicles and shops, sending panic across the area.

How police traced the link to Dr Umar

Investigators said the probe into the car’s ownership helped them uncover the connection to Umar.

“The Hyundai i20 was first registered under a man named Salman, who said he sold it to Devender. Devender told the police he later sold it to a person named Taariq. While tracing Taariq, we discovered that the vehicle was last with Dr Umar Un Nabi,” an officer said.

When the police tracked Umar, they learned that he was inside the car at the time of the blast, confirming that he was the driver.

Umar was reportedly part of the same module as two other doctors from Jammu and Kashmir — Dr Muzammil Shakil and Dr Adil Ahmed Rather — both arrested recently in a joint operation by the J&K Police, the Intelligence Bureau, and Faridabad Police.

During these arrests, the authorities had seized nearly 2,900 kg of ammonium nitrate and other bomb-making materials from a hideout in Faridabad, indicating a large-scale terror plot.

Attack believed to be planned after friends’ arrest

Investigators believe Umar might have carried out the attack hastily after learning about the arrest of his aides.

A senior officer said, “The blast appears to be revenge-driven or an attempt to destroy evidence after the arrests. We are verifying with J&K Police, who have also confirmed their links.”

The police suspect the explosion may have been caused by a device being transported in the car, which might have detonated accidentally. Forensic experts said the intensity suggests the use of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil or similar high-energy explosives.

The Delhi Police have filed an FIR under Sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with provisions of the Explosives Act and Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to murder and attempt to murder.

Authorities are conducting raids in Delhi, Faridabad, and Pulwama to locate any remaining members of the network.

The Special Cell is examining CCTV footage from the route the car took, as well as mobile phone and financial records of the suspects. Officials are also waiting for forensic confirmation to verify if Umar’s body is among the remains recovered from the blast site.

The Delhi Police said the investigation is at a crucial stage, with teams coordinating with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and J&K Police to piece together the full terror network.