Red Fort Blast Aftermath: NIA Probe Uncovers ‘White-Collar’ Terror Cell, Links to 3,000 kg Explosives in Faridabad

High-Intensity Explosion Rocks Red Fort Area, Investigation Launched Under Anti-Terror Laws

New Delhi, December 1, 2025 – A quiet Monday evening near Delhi's historic Red Fort was shattered on November 10, 2025, when a massive explosion ripped through a car, plunging the area into chaos. The blast, which occurred at 6:52 PM near the Lal Qila Metro Station Gate 1, immediately sparked a high-level terror investigation, as initial findings pointed to a pre-meditated act.

The high-intensity explosion, centered on a Hyundai i20 stopped at a traffic light, incinerated six cars and three auto-rickshaws, shattered windows up to the metro gate, and propelled debris as far as 150 meters. Eyewitnesses reported hearing the noise over $2.5$ km away.

The Delhi Fire Services were alerted at 6:55 PM, and the area was quickly swarming with police and ambulances. In a display of community resilience, locals immediately rushed the injured to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, a move that is credited with saving lives.

Human Cost and Government Response

The tragedy resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, with over 20 others sustaining injuries. The victims were ordinary citizens, illustrating the indiscriminate nature of the attack:

• Lokesh Agarwal: Traveling from Uttar Pradesh for a family visit.

• Ashok Gujjar: A DTC bus driver returning home from work.

• Pankaj Saini: A professional cab driver.

• Dinesh Mishra: A saree and lehenga seller in Chandni Chowk.

• Noman: An employee at a cosmetic store.

• Jumman Mohammed: An e-rickshaw driver supporting his family.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the injured at the hospital and later inspected the blast site, confirming that the government was "considering all angles while investigating this." The investigation was immediately handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with support from the National Security Guard (NSG) and forensic experts.

Section 1: Indicators Pointing to Terrorism

The incident was quickly classified as a terror act. Delhi Police filed a First Information Report (FIR) under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a measure reserved exclusively for terror-related cases. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking shortly after the incident, called the blast a "conspiracy" and vowed that "The conspirators will not be forgiven."

Investigators immediately traced the white Hyundai i20 used in the explosion. While initial reports named Mohammad Salman and Devendra as past owners, the trail ultimately led to an individual named Umar Nabi from Koil village in Pulwama. DNA samples taken from human remains at the blast site and compared to those of Umar Nabi’s mother suggested the alleged perpetrator was in the vehicle when it detonated.

Section 2: Faridabad Link Uncovers Massive Terror Cell

The Delhi blast was quickly linked to a major counter-terror operation underway in the surrounding region, specifically in Faridabad, Haryana. Just days before the Red Fort attack, J&K Police and Haryana Police had arrested multiple suspected operatives.

Key arrests included:

• Dr. Adeel Majeed Rather: Arrested in Saharanpur, UP, with links to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Al-Qaeda’s Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. An AK-47 was later recovered from his locker at Anantnag Medical College.

• Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganai: A faculty member at Faridabad's Al-Falah University, whose arrest led to a major discovery.

In Muzammil's rented house in Faridabad, police uncovered a massive cache of bomb-making materials, initially reported as 360 kg and later revised to over 3,000 kg of explosives, primarily suspected to be ammonium nitrate. The haul also included:

• Walkie-talkies, remotes, 20 timers, and batteries.

• 5 kg of heavy metals and wires for bomb fabrication.

• A Krinkov rifle and a pistol.

Authorities termed this discovery evidence of an "ongoing work" by a deeply embedded terror cell, which has been described as a "white-collar" module due to the involvement of highly educated professionals like doctors.

Section 3: The Panic Bomb Theory and Key Perpetrator

Multiple sources identify Umar Nabi, who also worked at Al-Falah University alongside Muzammil, as the alleged driver and chief architect of the Delhi Red Fort attack. Reports citing police officials suggest the explosion was likely a hasty execution, possibly a panic bomb attempt.

Investigators believe that Umar Nabi, fearing imminent capture following the arrests of his associates in Faridabad, detonated the explosive prematurely or mishandled the device. The resulting damage, while catastrophic, was less severe than the potential of the high-quality explosives seized in Faridabad, further suggesting a rushed and imperfect execution. DNA analysis has been critical in confirming Umar Nabi's presence at the scene.

The NIA has since arrested seven individuals in connection with the attack, including associates accused of providing logistical support, shelter, and technical aid to Umar Nabi. The ongoing investigation is focused on dismantling the entire network, which has been linked to Pakistan-based militant groups.

Demanding Accountability and Guarding Against Misinformation

The tragedy highlights a severe national security challenge: the ability of a terror cell to stockpile $3,000$ kg of explosives in a location so close to the National Capital Region (NCR)—a quantity that dwarfs the estimated $300$ kg used in the 2019 Pulwama attack.

While the investigation progresses, the public is urged to exercise caution against misinformation. In the wake of such terror, it is vital to:

• Rely on facts: Resist hyperbolic claims and social media rumors.

• Question media spin: Seek verified information only from official sources.

• Stay United: Focus on supporting the victims and demanding accountability from security leadership.

The families of the 13 deceased victims, lost in a sudden act of terror, await the closure and justice that a comprehensive, swift investigation promises.