New Delhi, November 12, 2025: Two days after the devastating blast near the iconic Red Fort that claimed at least ten lives and left several others injured, investigators are meticulously reconstructing the sequence of events to understand exactly how and why the attack occurred. The white Hyundai i20, central to the explosion, has raised four critical questions that now dominate the ongoing probe: why the attacker chose that location, whether the blast was deliberate or accidental, if the detonator was hidden inside the car’s bonnet, and who was present in the vehicle at the time of the explosion.

Why This Location?

The foremost question troubling authorities is why the attacker targeted a busy intersection outside the Red Fort—a high-security zone in Old Delhi that is routinely patrolled and monitored. According to National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials, investigators are considering whether the explosion was accidental or triggered prematurely due to panic. Officers familiar with the investigation suggest that Dr. Umar un-Nabi, the prime suspect believed to have been driving the vehicle, had intended the blast to occur near the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk, a densely crowded market area frequented by shoppers and tourists.

CCTV footage indicates that the i20 remained in the area for nearly four hours before the explosion. The vehicle was parked for over three hours near the Sunehri Masjid and later moved along Netaji Subhash Marg and Shantivan Road between Daryaganj and the Chhata Rail Cut traffic signal. Investigators noted that the car even paused briefly near a temple along Netaji Subhash Marg approximately ten minutes before the blast.

A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We are not ruling out the possibility that Umar initially tried to trigger the blast near the temple. The location is a gateway to multiple wholesale markets in Chandni Chowk and would have maximized impact. However, the area is a no-parking zone, and the halt might have drawn attention from security personnel. He may have panicked and moved ahead, which could have influenced the timing and site of the explosion.”

Planned or Accidental?

Investigators are also grappling with whether the blast was the result of a meticulously premeditated plan or a spontaneous act of desperation. Multiple scenarios are under consideration: a calculated attack, a panic-induced detonation, or an accidental explosion caused by an unstable device.

A senior police officer familiar with the investigation said, “We are examining why Monday was chosen for this attack. The Red Fort is closed on Mondays, which raises questions. One possibility is that the recent arrests of Umar’s associates across various states may have triggered panic, prompting him to flee with the explosive device. Whether the attack was pre-planned or improvised may never be fully known, as the individual who executed the plan was the sole occupant of the car and perished in the explosion.”

Was the Bomb Planted in the Bonnet?

Another critical aspect of the investigation is the placement of the explosive device. Early forensic reports suggest that the bomb, likely comprising ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO), may have been hidden in the car’s bonnet. CCTV footage from Faridabad on the night of Sunday, November 10, showed the vehicle appearing normal. However, when the car was later observed in the Sunehri Masjid parking lot hours before the blast, the bonnet appeared partially closed.

A senior investigator explained, “We have reason to believe that Umar hid the detonator and possibly the explosive material in the car’s bonnet. He appears to have used a rope and a sticker-like object to secure it. Our forensic teams confirmed the presence of high traces of ammonium nitrate concentrated in that area. This strongly indicates that the bonnet was the primary storage location for the device.”

Who Was in the Car?

While initial reports suggested that two people were inside the i20, subsequent evidence indicates that Umar was alone at the time of the explosion. Investigators confirmed that he was seen with two individuals on October 29 at a pollution checking station in Sector 37, Faridabad. Those two men, Amir Rashid Mir, a Kashmir-based plumber, and Sonu, who sold the car initially, have been detained and are being questioned for potential involvement in assembling the device or aiding Umar in the days leading up to the blast.

A police officer from Delhi Police’s Special Cell stated, “We are following leads regarding the two men who were last seen with Umar in Faridabad. Our focus is to ascertain whether they played any role in preparing the vehicle or facilitating his movements. The exact extent of their involvement is still being verified.”

Sequence of Events Leading to the Explosion

Investigators have pieced together a rough timeline of the attack. The car entered Delhi from Faridabad on the night of November 10, with Umar alone. On Monday afternoon, he stopped near the Sunehri Masjid for over three hours, possibly to monitor developments or prepare the device further. During this period, Umar is believed to have checked updates regarding arrests of his associates in Faridabad and may have maintained contact with handlers via signal phones.

He then proceeded along Netaji Subhash Marg and Shantivan Road, paused briefly near the temple, and took a U-turn near Chhata Rail Chowk. The blast occurred at 6:52 pm, just meters away from the Red Fort police post. The detonation caused widespread devastation, scattering charred body parts and debris over a large area, but interestingly, it did not leave a crater on the road.

Ongoing Forensic and Investigative Efforts

Forensic teams continue to analyze evidence recovered from the site and the vehicle, including potential detonator fragments, explosive residues, and CCTV footage from surrounding areas. Officers are reconstructing Umar’s movements to determine whether anyone else was involved in facilitating the attack.

A senior official noted, “The investigation is multidimensional. We are exploring all angles: the method of assembling the device, the decision behind choosing the site and timing, and the movements of individuals connected to the suspect. Each piece of evidence will help us understand whether this was a single-handed act or part of a larger conspiracy.”

Security Measures and Implications

In the wake of the blast, Delhi Police and other security agencies have heightened alert levels across the National Capital Region (NCR), including deployment at strategic checkpoints, monitoring of key traffic signals, and tracking suspicious vehicles such as the red Ford EcoSport linked to Umar. Authorities are also conducting cross-state intelligence coordination to preempt further threats and ensure public safety.

The Red Fort blast has not only raised alarms regarding terrorist networks operating across state lines but also prompted a review of security protocols near heritage monuments, crowded marketplaces, and key traffic intersections. Investigators are determined to uncover the full extent of the network, the source of the explosives, and the operational planning that went into executing the attack.

Conclusion

As the probe continues, the four central questions—why the Red Fort, planned or accidental, bomb placement in the bonnet, and identity of car occupants—remain critical to unraveling the circumstances surrounding the blast. While Dr. Umar un-Nabi is believed to have acted as the lone executor, authorities are keen to establish whether he had logistical support or guidance from a broader network. The meticulous forensic analysis, review of CCTV footage, and questioning of associated individuals will be pivotal in providing clarity to an investigation that has gripped the nation.

The Red Fort blast underscores the continuing threat posed by organized terror modules and the challenges of securing highly populated urban centers. With multiple agencies working in coordination, the investigation aims to not only bring the perpetrators to justice but also to strengthen preventive mechanisms to safeguard citizens and sensitive sites across the capital.