The death toll from the Delhi Red Fort blast has climbed to 13, with another critically injured victim succumbing at LNJP Hospital on Thursday, according to officials. Over 20 people were injured in the powerful explosion that ripped through slow-moving traffic near the Red Fort on November 10.
Investigators have now confirmed through DNA analysis that Umar Un Nabi, a doctor from Pulwama, was the man who detonated the IED inside a Hyundai i20. According to probe teams, Umar and a small “white-coat” module of fellow doctors had planned a multi-vehicle, multi-strike terror attack far larger than initially believed.
A coordinated strike with three cars
The module had procured three vehicles for the planned attack —
• Hyundai i20 (the blast vehicle)
• Red Ford EcoSport (DL-10 CK-0458), now traced to Faridabad
• Maruti Suzuki Brezza, still untraced
Investigators fear the missing Brezza may contain additional explosives or devices. Umar is believed to have procured all three cars.
Sources say the original plan involved vehicle-borne IEDs followed by assault-rifle firing, aimed at creating a “spectacular” coordinated strike.
Operation directed from Turkiye
The terror plot reportedly originated overseas.
Investigators say Umar travelled to Ankara in March 2022 and operated under a Turkiye-based handler codenamed “Ukasa.”
Encrypted conversations began on Telegram before shifting to Signal and Session, pointing to a high level of operational security.
Explosives: over 3,200 kg traced
The explosives trail has stunned agencies.
• Early intelligence suggested the group began collecting material in 2022, accumulating 350+ kg initially.
• After the arrest of Dr Muzammil, searches in Faridabad uncovered a far larger cache — nearly 2,900 kg of ammonium nitrate and other materials, stored in two rented rooms, according to police.
University link widens the probe
Both Umar and Dr Muzammil (Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie) were faculty members at Al-Falah University, Faridabad, teaching MBBS students.
Investigators allege:
• Muzammil conducted multiple reconnaissance visits to Red Fort this year.
• Rented rooms near the university were used to receive and stash explosive components.
• The probe now extends to colleagues, staff, and anyone who helped secure rooms, funds, or vehicles.
Ayodhya, Republic Day also on target list
Recovered documents and interrogation details suggest additional planned attacks:
• A strike in Ayodhya around November 25, coinciding with a ceremony at the Ram Temple.
• A phased action plan extending towards Republic Day 2026.
How the plot collapsed
Action by J&K Police, followed by forensic links, led to Muzammil’s arrest and the large explosives seizure. This triggered Umar’s escape attempt — he stayed mobile for over 16 hours across Delhi-NCR before detonating the i20 near Red Fort.
CCTV and toll-plaza trails have tracked him at nearly 50 locations as agencies now work to identify accomplices and possible remaining sleeper cells.
