In a major revelation, investigators have confirmed a direct link between the Delhi Red Fort blast and the “white-collar” terror module that was recently busted by joint police teams from Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana. The Hyundai i20 car that exploded near the Red Fort on Monday evening, killing nine people and injuring over twenty, was owned by a doctor from Pulwama, identified as Dr. Umar Mohammad, who is now believed to have been part of the same terror network.
According to top sources, Dr. Umar triggered the explosion after panicking over the arrest of two of his associates — Dr. Mujammil Shakeel and Dr. Adil Rather — and the recovery of nearly 2,900 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate, along with a cache of arms and ammunition, from their rented accommodations in Faridabad, Haryana. Both Shakeel and Rather are residents of south Kashmir and were allegedly operating under Jaish-e-Muhammad handlers based in Pakistan.
The blast, which took place near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, is now being probed as a terror attack. The Delhi Police has invoked sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with sections 3 and 4 of the Explosive Substances Act, and charges of murder and attempt to murder.
Sources said the target could have been anywhere in central Delhi, as CCTV footage showed the car moving from the Red Fort area toward the city center minutes before the explosion. Officials suspect that a large amount of ammonium nitrate—commonly used in fertilizers but capable of making high-intensity bombs—was used in the blast, similar to the material recovered from Faridabad.
The Red Fort area, one of the busiest zones in Delhi, turned into a scene of devastation following the explosion. Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said the blast occurred when “a slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light,” damaging nearby cars and motorized rickshaws. Visuals from the site showed mangled vehicles, flames, and pools of blood scattered across the road.
Investigations have revealed that the car had changed ownership multiple times, initially registered to Aamir, later transferred to Tariq, and finally to Dr. Umar. The J&K Police detained Tariq from Pulwama for questioning, as agencies try to trace the complete chain of custody and uncover the financing and coordination network behind the attack.
The multi-agency investigation, now involving the Delhi Police, J&K Police, NIA, NSG, IB, UP ATS, Haryana Police, Gujarat Police, and forensic teams, continues under heightened national security alert.
Home Minister Amit Shah stated late Monday night that “no possibility is being ruled out”, emphasizing that all angles — including cross-border links and local support networks — are being examined.
The so-called “white-collar” terror module, comprising radicalised professionals like doctors and engineers, had been under surveillance for nearly a month. Two properties rented by Shakeel in Dhoj and Fatehpur Taga villages of Faridabad were raided, yielding a massive recovery of explosives, assault rifles, handguns, and 20 timers.
Officials believe the module was operating under foreign direction, with members tasked not only with handling explosives but also with spreading propaganda and logistical coordination for terror groups.
The Delhi blast, now officially classified as a terror strike, marks one of the most significant security breaches in recent years and has prompted a nationwide alert as agencies race to prevent further coordinated attacks.
