In a major breakthrough in the Delhi Red Fort blast investigation, the Delhi Police have confirmed through DNA testing that Dr Umar Un Nabi, a 35-year-old resident of Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, was the man driving the white Hyundai i20 that exploded outside the Red Fort on Monday evening.
Officials revealed that Nabi’s leg was found trapped between the steering wheel and the accelerator, confirming his presence inside the car at the moment of detonation.
DNA Test Confirms Identity
According to police sources, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) experts matched DNA samples collected from a severed leg found in the blast site with samples taken from Nabi’s mother in Pulwama.
“The DNA sample from the leg recovered at the site matches the DNA of Umar Un Nabi’s mother. This establishes his direct role in the explosion,” said a senior police officer on condition of anonymity.
The full forensic report is awaited, but preliminary confirmation has been deemed a crucial piece of evidence in linking Nabi to the terror plot.
Who Was Dr Umar Un Nabi?
Nabi was an assistant professor at Al Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana.
Police say he was associated with Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganaie and Dr Adeel Rather, both arrested in Jammu and Kashmir last week.
The duo was accused of storing over 2,900 kg of ammonium nitrate, along with detonators, timers, and assault rifles, in a hideout in Faridabad.
Officials believe Nabi had direct logistical and operational links with the Faridabad terror module, which is suspected to be backed by Jaish-e-Mohammed handlers based in Pakistan.
The Blast and Aftermath
Investigators said Nabi purchased the Hyundai i20 just 11 days before the explosion. CCTV footage reportedly showed him driving through Badarpur Border, Connaught Place, Turkman Gate, and Sunehri Masjid before reaching the Red Fort area.
After the arrest of his associates, Nabi allegedly panicked, taking detonators and explosives from his Faridabad residence and fleeing to Delhi.
“When we discovered a huge cache of explosives on Sunday, Nabi went missing. We suspect he tried to destroy evidence and died during the blast,” an investigator said.
Additional Recoveries and Links
Police also recovered Nabi’s red Ford Ecosport car from Faridabad on Wednesday, which was allegedly used to transport ammonium nitrate.
Officials are now probing Telegram chats and encrypted communications that might reveal coordination with cross-border handlers.
Background: Red Fort Terror Incident
The Red Fort explosion, which occurred on November 10, killed at least 10 people and injured over 20 others.
The Union Government has officially declared the blast a terror incident and deployed multiple central agencies, including the NIA and NSG, to assist Delhi Police in the investigation.
The Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterated India’s stance of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all forms.
