Red Fort Blast Probe Reveals Umar Nabi Planned December 6 Attack; Explosion Was Likely Accidental, Say Officials
New Delhi: The 28-year-old doctor from South Kashmir’s Pulwama, Dr Umar Nabi, who was driving the explosives-laden car that blew up near Delhi’s Red Fort on November 10, killing 12 people, had originally planned a major terror strike around the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition on December 6, according to officials investigating the case.
The revelation comes as agencies piece together evidence from the interrogation of eight arrested suspects linked to an interstate “white-collar” Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) module active in Faridabad, and testimonies from the accused’s families and associates. Investigators believe the Red Fort blast was an accidental detonation triggered by panic after the terror network was exposed publicly.
From Top Student to Radicalised Operative
Officials described Umar Nabi as a bright but reserved medical student who reportedly became radicalised after a 2021 trip to Turkiye with Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, also known as Musaib—the first arrest made in the case. Ganaie, a faculty member at Al Falah University, was found storing 360 kg of ammonium nitrate in his rented accommodation in Faridabad.
Investigators suspect the duo came into contact with overground JeM operatives during their Turkiye trip, which marked a turning point in their ideological transformation. Following their return, they allegedly began collecting materials such as ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and sulphur, storing them both on and around the university campus.
The Red Fort Blast and Busted Network
Officials said Umar Nabi was allegedly constructing a vehicle-based improvised explosive device (VBIED) to be used in December. He had even informed close associates about the plan before beginning preparations. Agencies believe he learned to assemble the explosive mechanism from online sources.
On November 10, when a senior Faridabad Police officer announced on television that a terror module had been busted with the recovery of 2,900 kg of explosives—including the consignment linked to Ganaie—a panicked Umar abandoned his plan. He took refuge in a mosque in Delhi’s walled city for several hours before driving out. Investigators believe the premature blast occurred while he was on the move, before the IED was fully assembled. The VBIED, they said, lacked shrapnel components meant to maximise damage.
Arrests Across States
Of the eight arrested in connection with the case, seven hail from Kashmir: Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid from Nowgam (Srinagar); Maulvi Irfan Ahmad from Shopian; Zameer Ahmad Ahanger alias Mutlasha from Ganderbal; Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie alias Musaib from Pulwama; and Dr Adeel from Kulgam. The eighth accused, Dr Shaheen Sayeed, is from Lucknow.
Investigators revealed that Umar returned to Kashmir on October 26, where he met friends and family, telling them he would be “unavailable for about three months” — a statement believed to hint at his plan to go underground after executing the planned December attack.
Crack in the Case
The unraveling of the module began with a Srinagar Police investigation into posters supporting JeM spotted across the city on October 19. CCTV footage showed Ganaie and his associates pasting the posters, leading to his arrest and eventual exposure of the broader network operating across Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.