New Delhi – The investigation into the deadly car explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on November 10, which claimed 13 lives and injured 21, has been officially handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Authorities are now probing the incident as a possible terror attack, following critical leads that suggest the blast was not accidental.

Linking the Blast to a Suspected Terror Module

A pivotal clue in the investigation was the ownership trail of the white Hyundai i20 that exploded near the Red Fort Metro Station. The vehicle was traced to Dr Umar Un Nabi, a doctor from Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, who is suspected to have had links to a terror module recently dismantled in Faridabad, Haryana. Police sources indicate that Dr Umar may have been in direct contact with two other J&K-based doctors arrested during the Faridabad module bust, which involved the seizure of nearly 2,900 kilograms of explosives.

Delhi Police initially registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), citing potential threats to national security. Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the public that all conspirators behind the blast would be brought to justice.

Missing Suspect, Potential Suicide Operation

Preliminary investigations suggest that Dr Umar Un Nabi was likely driving the car at the time of the explosion. Officials believe he may have carried out the detonation after his associates were arrested, prompting theories of a potential suicide operation. Authorities have called Umar’s family members, including his mother, for DNA testing to confirm if he was among the deceased, as six of the 13 victims remain unidentified.

“The initial probe indicates Umar was driving the vehicle and is probably dead,” an officer said. Investigators are coordinating with mortuary doctors to confirm the identities of the remaining bodies.

Tracing the Vehicle: From Faridabad to Delhi

The car’s ownership trail revealed a complex chain of transactions. Initially registered under the name of a man named Salman, the vehicle was sold to Devender, who subsequently transferred it to a man named Taariq. Investigators ultimately traced the car to Dr Umar Un Nabi, a key development that connected the Red Fort explosion to the earlier Faridabad terror module.

CCTV footage shows the vehicle traveling across Delhi on the day of the blast, including stops at Darya Ganj, Kashmere Gate, Sunehri Masjid, and the Red Fort parking lot. The car slowed at a traffic signal near the Red Fort Metro Gate 1 around 6:52 pm, where it detonated.

Faridabad Terror Module: Explosives and Co-Conspirators

Police in Haryana have been investigating Umar’s role in transporting explosives from Faridabad to Delhi. Alongside Dr Muzammil Shakil, also from Pulwama and employed at Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad, Umar is believed to have stockpiled ammonium nitrate and coordinated the logistics for the blast. Another doctor, Adeel Ahmad Rather, formerly a Senior Resident at Government Medical College, Anantnag, is suspected to have been actively involved in planning the operation.

Investigators have scanned CCTV footage and conducted extensive searches to map the movements of the suspects. The two doctors had rented accommodations in Dhauj village, Faridabad, paying minimal rent while allegedly using the premises to store explosives. Authorities are also exploring whether the blast was triggered deliberately or if it resulted from accidental detonation. Forensic experts suggest that the intensity of the explosion points to a high-energy substance such as ammonia gel.

Action Across Jammu & Kashmir

In response to the potential terror angle, Jammu and Kashmir police have conducted multiple raids and picked up six individuals, including three relatives of Dr Umar Un Nabi. Security officials emphasized that these operations were carried out as preventive measures to thwart any further threats.

Ongoing Investigation

The NIA has now taken charge of all evidence, witness statements, and forensic samples collected by Delhi Police. The investigation is ongoing, with agencies working to confirm the identities of the deceased, trace the supply chain of explosives, and uncover any wider terror networks that may be involved.

As the probe continues, authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant, while security has been tightened across Delhi, particularly near sensitive areas and landmarks.