Updated on: November 12, 2025 | 8:06 PM IST

Delhi Police have launched a major search operation after locating a red Ford EcoSport believed to be linked to the prime suspect in the Red Fort car blast case, Dr Umar Un Nabi. The vehicle was discovered parked at a farmhouse near Khandawali village, on the outskirts of Faridabad, which belongs to an acquaintance of Nabi.

The Link Between the Red EcoSport and the Red Fort Blast

The red EcoSport, bearing registration number DL10CK0458, was registered at the Rajouri Garden RTO on November 22, 2017, according to publicly available transport records. Officials confirmed that Dr Umar Un Nabi is the registered owner of this vehicle.

Nabi had earlier come under police scrutiny for his alleged involvement in the Red Fort blast after the Hyundai i20 (HR26CE7674) that exploded near the Red Fort was traced back to him. CCTV footage had captured the i20 slowing down at a red light before the massive explosion, which claimed multiple lives and left several injured. Investigators believe that the red EcoSport is connected to the same terror module and could have been used in planning or executing related activities.

Investigation Trail

Delhi Police Special Cell officials described a complex trail of ownership before tracing the car to Nabi. The chain of ownership reportedly involved multiple individuals:

1. Salman – Original owner, sold the car to
2. Devender – Later transferred it to
3. Taariq – Who was eventually linked to Dr Umar Un Nabi

According to a police officer, while tracking the chain of custody, the red EcoSport was eventually located in Nabi’s possession. The car was found shortly after a series of raids across Faridabad, Jammu and Kashmir, and the Delhi-NCR region that led to the arrest of several associates of Nabi, many of them doctors, and the seizure of nearly 3,000 kg of explosive material.

Police Operations and Alerts

Following the discovery, Delhi Police issued alerts to all police stations, including the UP and Haryana Police, to remain vigilant and search for the red EcoSport. Teams from the NCR region were also mobilized to trace the vehicle’s movements and occupants.

Officers noted that Nabi appeared to have acted quickly and discreetly after his associates were apprehended in the raids. The EcoSport was believed to have been hidden at a safe location before it was recovered in Faridabad.

Continuing Probe

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is expected to take over the vehicle for forensic examination to establish further links between Nabi and the Red Fort blast. Officials are also seeking details of recent transfers and movements of all vehicles registered under Nabi and his associates, which could provide additional leads in the investigation.

Delhi Police confirmed that tracing the EcoSport and tying it to Nabi was a critical step in understanding the full scale of the terror module and preventing any further attacks. The investigation continues to determine whether the car was intended for operational use in the blast or served other logistical purposes.

This development comes amid ongoing scrutiny of terror networks linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and other extremist modules operating across Delhi-NCR, Faridabad, and Jammu and Kashmir. Law enforcement agencies are maintaining high alert as the probe unfolds.