Updated on: November 12, 2025 | 06:04 PM IST

New Delhi: Investigators probing the Red Fort car blast that killed 12 people and injured several others are focusing on a crucial three-hour period when the prime suspect, Dr Umar Nabi, remained at a mosque near Ram Leela Maidan before carrying out the attack.

According to senior police officials, Dr Umar Nabi, an assistant professor at Al-Falah University, parked the Hyundai i20 at the Sunehri Masjid parking lot around 3:19 pm on Monday. Prior to this, he reportedly visited a mosque on Asaf Ali Road, close to Ram Leela Maidan, where he stayed for approximately three hours to offer namaz.

Investigating the Three-Hour Halt

Authorities are probing why Nabi remained at the mosque for such a long period. A senior police officer said, “He stayed there for around three hours before leaving and heading towards the Red Fort. We are probing the matter from all angles, including a suspected fidayeen-style attack.”

Investigators are also examining what Nabi did while parked at Sunehri Masjid, trying to determine if he used that time to monitor police operations or coordinate with his associates. “He was constantly tracking updates about those arrested in the Faridabad terror module. We are also trying to verify if he was communicating with his handlers using a signal phone,” the officer added.

Forensic experts are analyzing evidence to detect any signal devices or other communication tools that may have been used during this period. The Delhi Forensic Science Laboratory has collected over 40 samples from the blast site, including mangled remains of the vehicle, metal fragments, and body parts. A special team of experts has been constituted to determine the nature of explosives used and trace their sources.

CCTV and Reconnaissance

Police sources said that CCTV footage from the mosque area and surrounding streets is being reviewed to reconstruct Nabi’s movements and ascertain if anyone else helped facilitate the attack.

In a separate development, the Delhi Police has issued an alert across all stations, posts, and border checkpoints in the capital to locate a red Ford EcoSport believed to be linked to Nabi and other suspects. The alert was issued after the probe revealed that the other suspects connected to the Faridabad module were also in possession of a second vehicle.

Timeline of the Attack

Initial reports suggested that three people were in the Hyundai i20 during the blast. However, officials confirmed that only Dr Umar Nabi was driving the car when it exploded.

After leaving the mosque parking lot, Nabi proceeded along Chhata Rail Chowk road near the Red Fort, made a U-turn, and the blast occurred a few metres before the Red Fort police post, according to officials familiar with the investigation.

The Delhi Police FIR has classified the incident as a bomb blast, invoking sections under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, which pertains to terror conspiracy and attacks.

Investigators continue to piece together Nabi’s movements and contacts during the hours leading up to the blast, as they work to uncover whether any co-conspirators or facilitators assisted in carrying out the attack.

The probe remains ongoing, with authorities emphasizing that forensic analysis, digital forensics, and intelligence coordination are central to identifying the full scope of the terror network involved.