Investigation Deepens After Deadly Red Fort Blast
Days after the devastating car explosion outside Delhi’s historic Red Fort, the investigation has widened dramatically across several states. Security agencies are now chasing leads that stretch from Kashmir to Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, uncovering a web of suspects linked through academic institutions, medical backgrounds, and an organised procurement chain for explosives.
The blast killed at least 10 people and injured several others, prompting the central government to push for an urgent and thorough probe. What initially appeared to be an isolated attack is now emerging as a meticulously coordinated operation involving multiple individuals and locations.
House of Prime Suspect Dr Umar Nabi Razed in Pulwama
On Friday morning, security forces in Jammu and Kashmir demolished the home of Dr Umar Nabi in Pulwama’s Koil village. Investigators say DNA tests have confirmed that Nabi was driving the explosive-laden Hyundai i20 that blew up outside Red Fort.
Dr Umar, an assistant professor at Al-Falah University in Faridabad, had already been linked to two other doctors from Kashmir arrested recently: Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganaie and Dr Adeel Rather. The trio is suspected of being at the centre of a sophisticated explosives network uncovered last week when authorities seized nearly 3,000 kilos of ammonium nitrate, detonators, timers, and assault rifles in Faridabad.
The demolition marks a significant escalation in the probe, signaling the gravity of the accusations and the government’s determination to dismantle the entire network.
Five More Detained, Including Doctors From UP and Haryana
As questioning intensified, investigators detained five more individuals, including two doctors and two university staffers from Al-Falah University in Faridabad.
Who Has Been Picked Up?
- Dr Mohammad Arif Mir, a 32-year-old cardiologist from Kanpur
- Dr Farukh, a gynecologist from GS Medical College, Hapur
- Two staff members from Al-Falah University
- An additional suspect linked to foreign travel, currently being traced
Both Mir and Farukh are originally from Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad, the two were taken into custody over suspected links with another arrested doctor, Dr Shaheen Shahid, from Lucknow.
One of the detainees is believed to have traveled to Turkey with two other suspects, raising concerns about possible foreign connections or training.
All those detained have been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and brought to Delhi for questioning.
Al-Falah University Comes Under Intense Scrutiny
A significant portion of the investigation now focuses on Al-Falah Medical College and its parent university in Faridabad. The NIA has demanded extensive records, some going back as far as 2019.
What Investigators Are Looking At:
- Hostel allotments and movement logs
- Faculty recruitment patterns
- Fund transfers and university financial transactions
- Activities of medical students and faculty associated with the suspects
Authorities suspect the accused may have used their academic positions to identify recruits, raise funds, and coordinate logistics for the attack. Given that several suspects are highly qualified doctors or researchers, investigators are examining whether the institution may have unknowingly become a hub for underground extremist activity.
Explosive Procurement Trail Leads to Nuh
One of the most critical breakthroughs is the emerging link between the Red Fort blast and Haryana’s Nuh district. Investigators tracking the source of explosive materials have traced a chain of fertilizer purchases and ammonium nitrate acquisitions to Basai Meo village in Nuh and adjoining pockets of Faridabad, Gurugram, and Saharanpur.
How the Network Operated
Officials say:
- Dr Umar and another suspect posed as farmhouse owners seeking fertilizer for agricultural use
- They made repeated small purchases of NPK fertilizer over the past three to four months
- The group collectively raised around 20 lakh rupees
- They used the funds to procure more than 26 quintals of NPK fertilizer
- They also purchased over 1,000 kg of ammonium nitrate, enough to create multiple large explosive devices
The scattered, small-scale purchases allowed them to stay under the radar. But combined, these materials formed the backbone of the deadly Red Fort blast.
A Fourth Vehicle Seized in Expanding Probe
The list of vehicles linked to the case continues to grow. On Friday, investigators seized a silver Maruti Brezza registered under the name of Dr Shaheen Shahid. This brings the total number of vehicles under the scanner to four.
Vehicles Investigators Are Examining:
- Hyundai i20 (white) – driven by Dr Umar Nabi; exploded outside Red Fort
- Red Ford EcoSport – found abandoned in a Faridabad village
- Maruti Swift Dzire – owned by Dr Shahid; allegedly used by Dr Muzammil Ganaie to transport explosive materials
- Silver Maruti Brezza – recently seized; suspected of being used in reconnaissance or logistics
The expanding list suggests a well-organized module with multiple moving parts operating across districts.
What Investigators Believe So Far
The developing picture of the Red Fort blast hints at:
- A highly educated group of accused, unusual for terror cases
- A coordinated module spread across Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh
- Strategic use of academic institutions, fake identities, and cross-state movement
- A complex procurement network designed to evade detection
- Financial support secured through personal networks rather than traditional channels
The involvement of multiple doctors with professional backgrounds has further complicated the investigation, raising concerns about radicalization within professional circles.
The Road Ahead
With raids intensifying, more detentions expected, and digital forensics underway, the investigation is picking up pace. The NIA is currently focusing on uncovering:
- The full list of co-conspirators
- Funding sources beyond the 20 lakh rupees recovered
- Possible foreign links through travel history
- Whether more explosives remain undiscovered
As Delhi and surrounding states remain on high alert, agencies believe the case could lead to the biggest counterterror crackdown in recent years.
