New Delhi: Investigators probing the Red Fort explosion have traced a second vehicle linked to prime suspect Dr. Umar Un Nabi — a red Ford EcoSport — found parked near Haryana’s Khandawali village late Wednesday, hours after an extensive manhunt was launched. Authorities said the vehicle, bearing the registration number DL10CK0458, was discovered outside a house allegedly owned by Umar, who is accused of orchestrating Monday’s blast that killed 12 people.
Police cordoned off the area after locating the car and called in bomb disposal and forensic experts to inspect it. Officials suspect the vehicle might contain weapons or additional explosive materials, potentially tied to the November 10 attack near the Red Fort Metro Station.
Vehicle Linked to Umar and Bought Using Fake Address
According to registration details from the Rajouri Garden RTO, the car was purchased on November 22, 2017, and registered under Umar Un Nabi, also known as Dr. Umar Mohammad, as the second owner. Investigators found that Umar used a fake address in northeast Delhi linked to a madrasa — to buy the car.
When Delhi Police raided the property late Tuesday night, the homeowner, Maulvi Tasavvur, confirmed that police had visited and questioned him about the suspect. Officials said the fake address was key in unravelling connections between the vehicle and the wider terror module under investigation.
Red EcoSport Part of Wider Blast Operation
Intelligence inputs indicate that the red EcoSport may have served as a secondary vehicle in the same operation that saw a white Hyundai i20 explode near the Red Fort, reducing multiple vehicles to debris. Officials suspect Umar used the vehicle for logistical movements or as part of a planned multi-vehicle attack, which was disrupted after several of his associates were arrested in Faridabad earlier this week.
After the arrests, police across Delhi and neighboring states were directed to intercept any red Ford EcoSport, particularly the one registered under Umar’s name. All patrol units were ordered to remain alert and armed, given intelligence warnings that the car could be carrying vital evidence or more explosives.
Delhi Police, along with central security agencies, tracked CCTV footage, toll data, and mobile tower locations to trace the car’s movement before it was found in Haryana.
Expanding Investigation Into Terror Network
Dr. Umar, believed to have died in the Red Fort blast, was reportedly part of a 9-10 member Jaish-e-Mohammed-linked logistics network that included doctors and professionals. His close aides — Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie and Dr. Shaheen Sayeed — were arrested earlier in Faridabad, where investigators recovered nearly 2,900 kg of explosives, including 360 kg of ammonium nitrate.
Police suspect Dr. Umar panicked and executed the blast prematurely after learning of his associates’ arrests. Data from mobile towers near the Red Fort is being examined to trace Umar’s calls and messages between 3 pm and 6:30 pm on the day of the incident.
Officials have also established that the arrested doctors allegedly exploited their medical expertise and institutional access to procure chemicals, assemble explosives, and coordinate terror operations across multiple states. The NIA and intelligence agencies are now analysing evidence from both vehicles as part of the widening probe into the interstate terror network.
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