November 13, 2025

The Delhi Police confirmed on Thursday that DNA testing has identified Dr Umar Un Nabi, 35, from Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, as the individual behind the wheel of the white Hyundai i20 that exploded near the Red Fort on Monday evening.

Investigators recovered a severed leg trapped between the steering wheel and accelerator of the car. Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) officials confirmed verbally that DNA from the leg matched a sample taken from Nabi’s mother in Pulwama, which was sent to Delhi for testing. Multiple other body parts were also recovered from the car, the blast site, and nearby premises, including shops and religious structures.

“This DNA match is crucial, as it links Nabi directly to the blast, establishing it as a heinous terror incident,” said a police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Nabi worked as an assistant professor at Al Falah University in Faridabad and was reportedly associated with Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganaie and Dr Adeel Rather, who were arrested last week in Jammu and Kashmir for storing over 2,900 kg of ammonium nitrate, detonators, timers, and assault rifles in Faridabad.

Police said Nabi had purchased the i20 car 11 days before the blast and went into hiding after Ganaie’s arrest on October 30. CCTV footage reportedly traced Nabi’s movements across Badarpur Border, Connaught Place, Turkman Gate, Sunehri Masjid, and finally Red Fort, indicating reconnaissance before the explosion.

A second vehicle, a red Ford EcoSport, was later recovered in Faridabad and is suspected to have been used to transport ammonium nitrate. Authorities are continuing to track the wider network involved in the blast and are investigating any remaining associates of Nabi.

Officials confirmed that Nabi was alone in the car at the time of the blast. DNA tests on other family members were conducted to assist in the identification of additional remains.

This confirmation marks a significant development in the ongoing probe into the Red Fort terror attack, which killed at least 10 people and injured several others.