Investigators probing the Delhi Red Fort blast say Dr Umar Nabi had planned a December 6 explosion after returning from Turkey. The plan fell apart following the Faridabad crackdown that exposed a ‘white-collar’ Jaish-e-Mohammed module spanning Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Delhi blast (Photo: ANI)
Investigators probing the Delhi Red Fort blast that killed 13 people have revealed that the man who was driving the explosives-laden Hyundai i20, Dr Umar Nabi, had planned a high-intensity explosion around December 6, coinciding with the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary. Officials say the plan was derailed when a key associate was arrested in Faridabad, leading to panic and probably an accidental detonation near the Red Fort on November 10.
The findings emerged after the interrogation of eight arrested suspects linked to an alleged “white-collar” Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) module spread across Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as statements from families, friends, and neighbours of the accused.
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Dr Umar Nabi, a 28-year-old doctor from Pulwama, is believed to have been driving the Hyundai i20 that exploded near the Red Fort Metro Station. Police say he played a central role in the terror network, collecting explosives and planning the vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).
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Umar’s alleged plot collapsed after the arrest of Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, alias Musaib, a teacher at Al-Falah University in Faridabad, from whose rented accommodation 360 kg of ammonium nitrate was seized. Investigators believe Umar panicked when news of the Faridabad arrests broke and the blast occurred prematurely.
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According to officials, Umar Nabi was academically brilliant but introverted. His transformation reportedly began after a 2021 trip to Turkey with Dr Ganaie, where the two allegedly came in contact with overground JeM workers.
After returning to India, they allegedly began gathering and storing explosive materials such as ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and sulphur in and around the Al-Falah University campus, where Umar was pursuing higher studies.
Officials said Umar had told his associates about his plan for a December 6 attack. Reports also suggest that Umar assembled explosives in his car after studying online resources about VBIED construction and detonation circuits.
On October 26, Umar visited Kashmir, meeting friends and relatives. Before returning to Faridabad, he reportedly told them he would not be available for three months. Investigators believe this was part of his plan to execute the blast and then go underground.
However, after Srinagar Police traced JeM propaganda posters pasted across the city on October 19, they arrested Dr Ganaie, which eventually exposed the inter-state terror network.
On November 10, panic struck when Faridabad Police publicly announced the seizure of 2,900 kg of explosives, including the 360 kg of inflammable material recovered from Ganaie’s room. Umar is believed to have taken refuge in a mosque in Old Delhi for nearly three hours before driving out in the Hyundai i20.
The car exploded near the Red Fort Metro Station, killing 12 and injuring many. Officials said the VBIED was incomplete and lacked shrapnel, suggesting the explosion occurred accidentally while Umar was still assembling it.
Of the eight people arrested so far, seven are from Jammu and Kashmir — Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid, Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, Zameer Ahmad Ahanger alias Mutlasha, and Dr Adeel.
The eighth, Dr Shaheen Sayeed, is from Lucknow.
Police have also detained Maulvi Ishtiyaq, a preacher from Mewat, Haryana, who lived in a rented house inside the Al-Falah University complex, where over 2,500 kg of explosives were found. He is expected to be formally arrested soon.
Investigators analysing mobile dump data retrieved from Dr Muzammil Ganaie’s phone found that the accused made multiple recces of the Red Fort area during the first week of January 2025.
Police suspect the reconnaissance was part of an aborted plan to target the Republic Day celebrations, which was foiled due to heavy patrolling. The movements of both Dr Muzammil and Dr Umar were corroborated by CCTV footage and tower location data.
Teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) collected around 40 samples, including live ammunition and residue of two different explosives. Preliminary analysis suggests that one was ammonium nitrate, while the second, described as “more powerful,” is undergoing further testing.
Following the arrests, Al-Falah University issued a statement expressing anguish over the incident, clarifying that it has “no connection” with the accused beyond their professional roles. Vice-Chancellor Dr Bhupinder Kaur Anand said the university condemns the developments and is cooperating fully with investigators.
The statement read, “The laboratories are used solely for academic and training purposes… The University stands in solidarity with the nation and extends complete support to the investigating agencies.”
Al-Falah University denies link to Delhi blast accused, says ‘no such chemicals stored on campus’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited LNJP Hospital to meet the injured and assured justice.
“Went to LNJP Hospital and met those injured during the blast in Delhi. Praying for everyone’s quick recovery. Those behind the conspiracy will be brought to justice,” he said in a post on X.
Investigators believe Dr Umar Nabi’s plan for a December 6 explosion was disrupted by the Faridabad crackdown, leading to the accidental Delhi Red Fort blast. The probe, now led by the National Investigation Agency, continues to unravel a complex network of professionals, students, and preachers allegedly linked to Pakistan-based groups operating under a “white-collar” terror module.
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