New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Forensic experts have confirmed that Dr Umar Nabi, a Pulwama resident and key suspect in a recently dismantled terror network, was behind the wheel of the car that exploded near Delhi’s Red Fort earlier this week. The finding comes after DNA tests matched samples from the blast site with those provided by Umar’s mother, senior officials said on Thursday.
According to investigators, the DNA profiling conducted at a Delhi laboratory established a conclusive match between the remains found at the scene and the reference samples sent from Jammu and Kashmir. “The results leave no doubt that it was Umar who was driving the vehicle at the time of the explosion,” an officer involved in the probe confirmed.
From Doctor to Militant
Police sources identified Umar as a qualified doctor from Koil village in Pulwama, who had become part of a sophisticated, ‘white-collar’ terror module exposed earlier in the week. The network, reportedly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH), was operating across Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
The Delhi Police’s counterterrorism unit arrested eight members, including three medical practitioners, hours before the Red Fort explosion shook the capital on Monday evening. Investigators suspect that Umar was attempting to transport or dispose of explosives when the blast occurred prematurely.
Huge Explosive Cache Recovered
Authorities seized nearly 3,000 kilograms of explosive materials — including ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate, and sulphur — from multiple locations connected to the busted network. The materials were believed to be intended for coordinated attacks across northern India.
An official involved in the investigation said, “The Red Fort explosion might have been an accidental detonation, likely caused by mishandling or overheating inside the vehicle.”
Heightened Vigil Across Delhi
Security in the capital remains on high alert following the deadly blast, which killed at least a dozen people and left several others injured. Police have intensified vehicle checks, surveillance, and patrolling near major public spaces and monuments.
The confirmation of Umar’s identity is being seen as a major breakthrough in understanding the operations of the module and its links to foreign handlers. Investigators are now examining communications and digital evidence recovered from the suspects to trace funding and logistical networks.
Officials have urged residents to stay calm and report any suspicious activity to local authorities, assuring that every lead connected to the Red Fort blast is being pursued with “the highest priority.”
