November 13, 2025 | New Delhi

The high-intensity blast near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening, which killed at least 10 people and injured several others, has left the capital and the nation on edge. While investigations are ongoing, security agencies are trying to determine whether the explosion was planned to occur at the site or triggered prematurely in panic.

The Blast

The explosion occurred at 6.52 pm at Netaji Subhash Marg, near the Red Fort metro station, during evening rush-hour traffic. The vehicle involved was a white Hyundai i20, registered under HR26CE7674, which had reportedly been sold multiple times and retrofitted with a CNG tank.

DNA analysis has confirmed that the DNA found inside the car belonged to the prime suspect, Dr Umar Un Nabi, who is believed to have been driving the vehicle at the time of the blast.

Suspicious Location

One of the pressing questions for investigators is why the blast occurred outside the Red Fort, one of Delhi’s most tightly secured areas. NIA officials are examining the possibility that the explosion might have been premature, triggered by panic rather than a deliberate decision to strike that location.

Delhi Police officers familiar with the probe suggest that Dr Umar Nabi may have initially intended to target the Chandni Chowk area, a busy shopping district with a high concentration of people.

“We have reasons to believe the suspect had planned the blast around Chandni Chowk, which is usually crowded with shoppers. The Red Fort location may have been the result of panic or unforeseen circumstances,” an officer said on condition of anonymity.

CCTV Footage and Vehicle Movements

CCTV footage has provided crucial insight into the movements of the i20 on the day of the attack. The car was seen in the vicinity of the Red Fort for nearly four hours, including over three hours parked near Sunehri Masjid, before moving along Netaji Subhash Marg and Shantivan Road near Daryaganj and the Chhata Rail Cut traffic signal.

The vehicle also halted briefly near a well-known temple on Netaji Subhash Marg approximately 10 minutes before the explosion. Investigators believe this pause may have been an attempt to trigger the blast in a more crowded area, potentially near temples and commercial hubs in Chandni Chowk.

“Umar may have tried to detonate the device near the temple, which faces a main road and is a gateway to several wholesale markets. However, as it’s a no-parking zone, and with security personnel nearby, he likely panicked and moved ahead,” said a Delhi Police officer involved in the investigation.

Possible Panic Trigger

Officials are considering multiple scenarios:

1. Premature detonation: The blast may have occurred earlier than intended due to panic, technical malfunction, or fear of being spotted by security forces.
2. Forced relocation: Unable to park near the intended target, the suspect may have moved the vehicle toward the Red Fort area, inadvertently placing it in a densely trafficked zone.
3. Reconnaissance gone wrong: Prior CCTV analysis shows that Dr Umar Nabi was driving and halting the i20 at multiple points, possibly assessing locations for maximum impact before the blast.

Next Steps in Investigation

Security agencies, including the NIA and Delhi Police, are combing through:

• CCTV footage from multiple locations near Chandni Chowk and the Red Fort.
• Vehicle history and modifications, including the CNG retrofit and prior ownerships.
• DNA evidence and forensic analysis to confirm the presence of the suspect and any accomplices.

Investigators are also examining whether the blast was part of a larger plan involving other vehicles, as two more cars, including a red Ford EcoSport and a Maruti Brezza, have been linked to the suspect.

Public Safety Concerns

The incident has heightened security concerns in Delhi, especially around high-profile and crowded areas. Authorities continue to monitor traffic and public spaces while strengthening surveillance in the vicinity of historic monuments and market areas.

As the probe unfolds, one critical question remains: was the Red Fort blast a meticulously planned terror attack, or was it triggered by panic when the suspect found himself in a tightly secured and crowded zone?

While evidence suggests that Dr Umar Nabi had intended to carry out a larger-scale attack in Chandni Chowk, circumstances on the ground may have forced an earlier detonation near the Red Fort, with tragic consequences.

Security agencies are expected to release more details as investigations progress and forensic analysis provides further clarity on the sequence of events leading to the deadly explosion.