Srinagar/New Delhi: Investigators probing the November 10 Red Fort car blast have identified Dr Umar un Nabi, the doctor who drove the explosive-laden Hyundai i20, as the most radical member of the so-called “white-collar” terror module. According to officials, Nabi was deeply committed to the ideology of suicide bombings and may have been attempting to radicalise others within the network.

The assessment of Nabi’s radicalisation intensified after authorities recovered a one-minute, 20-second video from a damaged mobile phone, believed to have been recorded in April, in which he appears alone in a room delivering an English-language monologue defending suicide attacks and likening them to “martyrdom.” The video has become a critical piece of evidence in understanding both the motives and the operational planning behind the attack.

Recovery of the Video

The phone containing the video was retrieved from a water body near Nabi’s residence in Koil, Pulwama. Delhi Police sources revealed that Nabi had given the phone to his brother, Zahoor Ilahi, during a visit in September–October, instructing him to dispose of it if he “ever heard news” about him. Following Zahoor’s detention, he disclosed the location of the phone, enabling forensic teams to extract data despite extensive damage.

While no government agency has officially confirmed the retrieval of the video, and its authenticity has not been independently verified, investigators and sources familiar with the probe have indicated that the clip is being treated as a key lead. Members of the terror module already under arrest are expected to be questioned on the reasons for recording the video and whether it was intended to indoctrinate others.

Confirmation of Nabi as the Suicide Bomber

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday confirmed that Nabi, associated with Faridabad’s Al Falah University, was the suicide bomber who detonated the vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) outside Delhi’s Red Fort. The blast killed at least 12 people and caused widespread alarm in the national capital.

Nabi’s identity was established after DNA collected from the blast site was matched with samples from his mother. Following this confirmation, both his brothers and mother were taken into custody. Investigators are working to map the full extent of the network, which includes several other doctors and associates believed to have assisted in the preparation and execution of the attack.

Expanding Investigations Across States

Following the blast, authorities conducted widespread searches across multiple states, focusing on the Al Falah University campus and surrounding areas. Three doctors—Dr Muzammil Ganaie, Dr Shaheen Shahid, and Dr Adeel Rather—have been arrested so far in connection with the conspiracy. Another suspect, Dr Muzzaffar, Rather’s brother, is believed to be in Afghanistan, while investigators continue searching for Dr Nissar ul-Hassan, who worked closely with Nabi, Ganaie, and Shahid. Several other doctors connected to the network have also been questioned.

Delhi Police Special Cell officers are probing the broader conspiracy, particularly the procurement of explosives and vehicles, and examining whether the terror module sought to replicate the modus operandi of the 2019 Pulwama attack. In that earlier incident, a car packed with explosives detonated beside a CRPF bus, killing 39 personnel, and the similarities in tactics have raised concerns about the sophistication and premeditation of Nabi’s module.

Radicalisation and Indoctrination

Experts have expressed alarm at the willingness of educated professionals like doctors to participate in suicide missions. Former Jammu and Kashmir police chief SP Vaid described videos such as the one attributed to Nabi as tools used to “brainwash vulnerable young people” in the Valley. He emphasised that the involvement of highly educated individuals in terrorist activities indicates a worrying trend of radicalisation among sections of the professional community.

Vaid further highlighted the importance of community engagement in countering indoctrination. “Community leaders must be involved to counter radicalisation. The targeting of educated youth, especially those in positions of trust such as doctors, requires proactive measures to prevent similar cases in the future,” he said.

Nabi’s Role in the Terror Network

Investigators have described Nabi as the most radical member of the white-collar terror module, displaying a strong ideological commitment to suicide attacks. He is suspected of attempting to influence other members of the network, including Jasir Bilal, also known as Danish, to embrace suicide bombing as a method. Police sources suggest that Nabi was actively encouraging members of the group to follow his extremist beliefs, indicating a level of operational and ideological leadership within the network.

Authorities are also examining the number of devices and SIM cards Nabi had at the time of the blast. Preliminary information suggests he was using at least two phones, but investigations continue to determine if additional devices were involved. The forensic analysis of these devices could reveal critical communications, instructions, or planning details, helping authorities map the broader network and prevent further attacks.

Implications for Security and Policy

The Red Fort blast has raised broader questions about the vulnerability of India’s security infrastructure and the ways in which educated professionals can be radicalised. The involvement of doctors in terror modules poses unique challenges for law enforcement, as these individuals typically have access to resources, technical knowledge, and networks that can be exploited for terrorist purposes.

Security analysts have stressed the need for increased vigilance in monitoring extremist narratives, especially in digital spaces where radicalisation can occur. Coordination between intelligence agencies, law enforcement, educational institutions, and community organisations is being seen as essential to prevent similar incidents.

Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings

Investigators continue to follow leads in multiple states and are working to determine whether additional operatives are involved in the planning and execution of the Red Fort blast. The NIA, in collaboration with Delhi Police, is also examining financial transactions, communications, and institutional links connected to Nabi and his associates.

Authorities have indicated that the recovered video may play a critical role in establishing intent and the radicalisation efforts within the network. Its use in legal proceedings could shed light on how ideological motivations translated into operational planning, strengthening the case against the accused.

Conclusion

The Red Fort car blast has highlighted the complex and evolving nature of domestic terrorism, particularly the infiltration of educated professionals into radical networks. Dr Umar un Nabi, as the most radical doctor in the white-collar terror module, embodies the intersection of education, ideology, and violence that challenges conventional security frameworks.

The recovery of the video, alongside the arrests and ongoing searches, provides investigators with valuable insights into the planning and motivations behind the attack. Law enforcement agencies have underscored the importance of community engagement, counter-radicalisation measures, and coordinated intelligence efforts to prevent similar attacks in the future.

While investigations continue, the Red Fort incident serves as a stark reminder of the changing face of terrorism in India, where ideological fervour can drive even highly educated professionals to carry out acts of extreme violence, and where timely intelligence and proactive law enforcement are critical to safeguarding public safety.