A car exploded near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday evening, killing 13 people and injuring 21 others. The car involved was a Hyundai i20, which investigators traced to a doctor from Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. According to Delhi Police, Dr. Umar Un Nabi is suspected to have been driving the car when it exploded.
Police sources said Umar Un Nabi may have connections to a terror module that was recently discovered in Faridabad, Haryana. This module was already linked to a large seizure of explosives, and two other doctors from Jammu and Kashmir were arrested in connection with it. Investigators believe Umar could have carried out the blast after his associates were taken into custody.
How the Investigation Reached Umar
The investigation began by tracing the car’s ownership. The Hyundai i20 was first registered in the name of a man named Salman. He told police that he sold it to Devender, who in turn sold it to Taariq. While tracking Taariq, authorities found that the car had last been with Umar Un Nabi.
Police officers said that Umar was most likely driving the car at the time of the explosion. He is believed to have been working with other doctors linked to the same terror module, including Muzammil Shakil and Adil Ahmad. Shakil was arrested on October 30 by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and Adil Ahmad Rather was also taken into custody earlier.
Following these arrests, a joint team of J&K Police, the Intelligence Bureau, and Faridabad Police found an alleged hideout connected to the group. At this location, authorities seized nearly 2,900 kilograms of ammonium nitrate and other bomb-making materials, which could be used in attacks like the Red Fort blast.
Planning After Arrests
Investigators believe Umar may have planned the Red Fort blast after his friends were arrested. Officials have confirmed his connection to the module through information from the Jammu and Kashmir police. While initial reports suggest he was driving the car, authorities are checking with mortuary doctors to confirm if he survived the explosion.
Red Fort Blast Aftermath
Delhi Police have registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), as well as sections of the Indian Penal Code related to murder and attempted murder. They have also invoked the Explosives Act. Investigators are examining whether the blast was caused by a device inside the car or by an accidental detonation.
Police said the explosion’s intensity and heat suggest that a high-intensity explosive, such as ammonia gel, may have been used. The Red Fort blast has raised security concerns in Delhi, as authorities work to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future.
This incident highlights the continuing threat posed by terror modules operating across states. Delhi Police, in coordination with other agencies, continue to investigate all links, recover explosives, and prevent any further attacks. The focus remains on tracing all individuals connected to the Pulwama doctor and his associates.
