NIA Tracks 73 Witnesses and Multiple Cars as Probe Reveals a Wider Network Behind the Red Fort Suicide Blast Plot

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The Red Fort blast case took a sharp turn after the National Investigation Agency arrested a key plotter in Delhi. The NIA said the attack was a suicide bombing. The agency identified the driver, Dr. Umar Un Nabi, as the suicide bomber. The blast occurred near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro station on November 10.

Suicide Bomber Drove Explosive-Filled Car


The agency said the bomber drove a Hyundai i20 filled with explosives. The NIA called the car a vehicle-borne IED, which means an explosive device packed inside a vehicle. The blast killed 11 people and left many others injured. Flames from the burning car spread fast and shocked commuters near the traffic signal.

The NIA named Amir Rashid Ali as the man who helped Umar plan the attack. Officers said Ali came from Samboora in Pampore and helped buy the i20. The same car later exploded during peak evening traffic. The agency said Ali reached Delhi to support Umar and guide the operation. Ali bought the car from a second-hand dealer after several earlier owners used it.

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Wider Network Under Investigation


Investigators said Umar drove the car alone in the final moments. Forensic experts matched his remains with medical records and confirmed his identity. Umar served as an Assistant Professor at Al Falah University and lived in Pulwama. The agency also seized another car linked to him. Officers continue tests on that vehicle to check its role in the larger plan.

The NIA examined 73 witnesses to track movements before the blast. Teams studied CCTV footage from Faridabad, Delhi, and other cities. Investigators also checked fuel station entries and pollution certificate records. Three other cars also came under the scanner. These were a Maruti Brezza, a Ford EcoSport, and a Swift Dzire. These vehicles helped officers understand the travel chain behind the blast.

Officials said the plot looked organised and well planned. They said the network spread across Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Officers searched for links to possible funders and handlers. They also noted signs of a white-collar support system that stayed hidden behind normal daily activity.

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Security around Delhi tightened soon after the explosion. Metro stations near the Red Fort increased checks. Police teams worked with central agencies to track every lead. Senior officials said the probe remains active. Teams focus on more suspects, money routes, and any links outside India.

The arrest of Amir Rashid Ali marks a breakthrough. Investigators said the arrest helps explain how the attack formed and how the car turned into a weapon. The agency continues searches and expects more clarity once forensic results come in.

The case now enters a deeper stage. Officers aim to trace who supplied the materials and how the plan moved across states. The NIA said it will follow every clue until the full group behind the Red Fort blast stands exposed.

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