New Delhi, November 12, 2025: Investigators in the Red Fort blast case have made a significant breakthrough by identifying the two men who accompanied the primary suspect, Dr Umar un Nabi, in the white Hyundai i20 that was used in the deadly explosion on Monday evening. The revelation provides crucial insight into the chain of events leading up to the incident and sheds light on the larger network of individuals involved in the terror module.

The car, a white Hyundai i20, was first observed at a toll plaza in Haryana’s Mewat region around midnight on Sunday. It remained parked at a lot near Sunehri Masjid in Delhi for over three hours before being driven by Umar un Nabi to the Red Fort area, where it exploded around 6:50 pm on Monday. The blast killed at least 10 people and injured more than 20 others, leaving some in critical condition. The force of the explosion was such that charred remains were scattered across a wide radius, though notably, the blast did not create a crater on the road.

According to a senior police official familiar with the investigation, the occupants who accompanied Umar on October 29 have been identified as Amir Rashid Mir, a plumber based in Kashmir, and Sonu, who previously sold the i20 to Umar. Amir and his brother, Umer Rashid Mir, an employee with the Power Development Department in Kashmir, were detained by Jammu and Kashmir police on Tuesday. Sonu, who works at a car dealership in Faridabad, was arrested just two hours after the Red Fort explosion.

Investigators have revealed that Amir and Sonu handed over the car to Umar on October 29. Police suspect that Amir, along with his brother, may have played a role in facilitating the module’s operations by enabling access to the vehicle. Sonu, meanwhile, is being questioned regarding his involvement in the car’s transfer and his knowledge of its subsequent use.

The movements of the i20 prior to the blast have become a key focus of the investigation. After being handed over to Umar, the vehicle traveled from Mewat to Delhi and remained stationary for several hours near Sunehri Masjid. During this period, Umar allegedly monitored updates about the arrest of his associates and may have been coordinating with handlers using encrypted communications or a signal device. Police are examining CCTV footage from the mosque area and nearby streets to trace his movements and determine if any accomplices were involved in facilitating the attack.

The Red Fort blast has raised several critical questions for investigators. Authorities are particularly focused on four key aspects: why Umar chose that particular location near the Red Fort, whether the explosion was premeditated or accidental, if the detonator was concealed in the car’s bonnet, and who exactly was present in the vehicle at the time of the blast. These questions are central to reconstructing the events leading up to the attack and identifying all individuals involved in the terror module.

The blast site was crowded at the time of the explosion, with pedestrians, tourists, and local shopkeepers in the vicinity. Witnesses described a deafening sound followed by smoke and chaos as people tried to flee. Delhi Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) quickly cordoned off the area and launched a massive search operation to trace the movements of Umar and identify other members of the suspected terror network.

This development comes against the backdrop of a wider crackdown on a terror module allegedly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed. Earlier raids in Faridabad and other parts of the Delhi-NCR region had led to the arrest of several individuals, including doctors and other professionals, and the recovery of nearly 3,000 kilograms of explosive material. Umar un Nabi, who reportedly used a Hyundai i20 parked at Al-Falah Medical College for weeks to transport explosives, became the prime focus of the investigation after the blast.

Authorities are also investigating the role of another vehicle owned by Umar—a red Ford EcoSport—which had been traced to a farmhouse near Khandawali village in Faridabad. Police believe that both vehicles were potentially used for reconnaissance or logistical support ahead of the attack. The joint investigation by the Delhi Police, NIA, and Jammu and Kashmir Police aims to uncover the full network, including handlers operating from abroad, and determine whether the blast was part of a larger coordinated plan.

The blast has prompted a heightened security alert across Delhi, with checks at metro stations, traffic intersections, and border points intensified. Law enforcement agencies have also been coordinating with housing societies and private accommodations in the National Capital Region to maintain registers of residents, particularly those from Jammu and Kashmir and foreign nationals, as part of a broader preventive measure.

Experts have highlighted that the Red Fort blast illustrates the complexity and sophistication of contemporary terror operations, where local networks are often linked with international handlers. The identification of Amir Rashid Mir and Sonu as the individuals accompanying Umar underscores the multilayered nature of the investigation, which now involves tracing the activities of multiple facilitators and understanding the logistics behind the attack.

While Umar remains at the center of the investigation, authorities are examining whether the two men who handed over the i20 had any direct knowledge of the explosives or the intended target. The interrogation of Amir, Umer, and Sonu is expected to provide critical leads, helping the agencies map the structure of the module and potentially prevent further attacks.

Forensic experts from the Delhi Forensic Science Laboratory have collected over 40 samples from the blast site, including debris from the car, metal fragments, and human remains. These samples are being analyzed to determine the type of explosive used and whether a detonator or triggering device was hidden in the car. Additionally, forensic examinations aim to establish a timeline of Umar’s movements and the handling of explosives before the attack.

Police and investigative agencies are also studying communication records, mobile data, and encrypted messages to trace any possible links with handlers abroad, particularly in Pakistan. The involvement of medical professionals in the terror module, including doctors affiliated with Al-Falah Medical College, has drawn attention to the concept of a “white-collar terror network,” where educated professionals allegedly provide logistical and technical support to terror operations.

As the investigation progresses, officials are working to determine whether additional suspects remain at large and if any other vehicles or locations were used to facilitate the operation. The identification of the two men who accompanied Umar in the i20 is a significant step in piecing together the broader network and understanding how the module planned and executed the attack.

The Red Fort blast has not only caused loss of life and injuries but also heightened security concerns in Delhi and surrounding areas. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies continue to coordinate across state lines and with central intelligence units to ensure that all aspects of the module are fully investigated and any remaining threats are neutralized.

In conclusion, the identification of Amir Rashid Mir and Sonu as the individuals who handed over the i20 to Umar un Nabi on October 29 is a pivotal development in the Red Fort blast investigation. With forensic evidence, CCTV footage, and interrogation of key suspects underway, authorities are working diligently to reconstruct the events leading up to the attack, unravel the network behind it, and bring all those responsible to justice. The case highlights the challenges faced by security agencies in detecting and preventing sophisticated terror operations, and underscores the importance of coordinated intelligence and proactive policing in ensuring public safety.

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