Investigations into the Red Fort blast in Delhi on Monday evening have revealed a terror module link to Jammu and Kashmir, according to officers from the Delhi Police Special Cell.
The white Hyundai i20 that exploded near the Red Fort has been traced to Umar Un Nabi, a Kashmir-based doctor from Pulwama believed to be part of a larger terror network already under investigation for the Faridabad ammonium nitrate seizure.
Police sources said that Umar was likely driving the car when it exploded around 6:52 PM, killing eight people and injuring 21 others.
FIR Under UAPA and Explosives Act
Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) dealing with murder and attempt to murder, and the Explosives Act.
“Initial evidence suggests the involvement of a trained module with prior access to high-grade explosive material,” an officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Faridabad Module Connection
Investigators discovered that Umar Un Nabi was in contact with two other doctors, Muzammil Shakil and Adil Ahmed, previously arrested for their role in a terror plot uncovered in Faridabad.
Raids linked to their arrest led to the recovery of 2,900 kg of ammonium nitrate, suspected to have been intended for use in multiple blasts.
“It was a long trail before we reached him (Umar). The i20 was initially registered to a man named Salman, then sold to Devender, and later to Taariq. Umar ended up with the car and appears to have executed this attack after his associates’ arrest,” a senior officer said.
Blast Timeline and CCTV Evidence
The car, bearing registration number HR26CE7674, was spotted in a parking area near Red Fort around 4 PM. CCTV footage shows the vehicle moving along Chhata Rail Chowk, taking a U-turn toward Lower Subhash Marg, and slowing near a red light when the explosion occurred.
The blast was so intense that it engulfed nearby vehicles in flames, leading to mass casualties. Initial speculation that the car’s CNG tank had ruptured was later dismissed after forensic experts found traces consistent with ammonium nitrate gel explosives.
Joint Crackdown and Wider Probe
The Delhi Police are coordinating with the Jammu & Kashmir Police, Haryana Police, and central intelligence agencies to trace the full network.
Investigations link the module to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), groups whose posters calling for anti-India activities appeared in Srinagar’s Bunpora and Nowgam areas in October.
Earlier arrests of Adil Ahmed in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and Shakil, an MBBS student in Faridabad, led to multiple seizures of RDX, rifles, and bomb-making material from Dhauj and Fatehpur Taga villages.
Casualties and Security Measures
The explosion near Lower Subhash Marg claimed eight lives and left 21 injured, including passersby and motorists. Hospitals in Delhi, including Lok Nayak and AIIMS Trauma Centre, are treating the victims.
Security across the National Capital Region (NCR) has been placed on high alert, with additional deployment near Red Fort, India Gate, and airport corridors. Vehicle checks and drone surveillance have been intensified.
