A chilling plot has emerged behind last week’s Red Fort car blast in Delhi that killed nine people and injured several others. Investigators say the attack was part of a wider terror plan by a group of professionals led by two doctors from Jammu and Kashmir who had originally intended to strike on Republic Day.
According to investigators, the main accused, Dr Umar U Nabi, bought a white Hyundai i20 just 11 days before the blast, on October 29. He got it registered and insured, but the car was later found loaded with explosives and blown up near Gate 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station on November 10.
Sources said Dr Umar and his associate Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganai had earlier surveyed the Red Fort area and even discussed staging the attack on January 26, India’s Republic Day. When that plan was delayed, they decided on a smaller explosion ahead of Diwali to test their setup.
Investigators believe the accused were part of a “white-collar terror module” made up of medical professionals and university students with links to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The group reportedly raised funds through fake charitable drives, used encrypted chats to communicate, and sourced chemicals and detonators from different states.
Dr Umar reportedly went underground the day after the blast. DNA samples are being matched to confirm whether he died in the explosion or escaped.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Delhi Police and intelligence agencies are also tracing the car’s movements and its multiple resale records to track down other conspirators.
Security has been tightened across the Capital, especially around major monuments and metro stations. The Delhi Chief Minister announced ₹10 lakh compensation for each victim’s family.
Officials say the case exposes how highly educated individuals can be drawn into extremist networks. Investigations continue to determine if this module had links to similar terror plans across north India.
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