New Delhi : A powerful car explosion near Red Fort Metro Station in Old Delhi on the evening of November 10, 2025, has left at least 13 people dead and more than twenty others injured, triggering a nationwide alert and an ongoing multi-agency terror probe.

According to Delhi Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the blast occurred at 6:52 PM (IST) when a white Hyundai i20 stopped at a red light near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station. The explosion was so intense that it engulfed multiple vehicles in flames, shattered nearby shop windows, and damaged surrounding structures within a 100-meter radius.

Emergency services rushed to the scene within minutes, as terrified commuters and pedestrians described scenes of “fire, screams, and chaos.” Witness videos circulated on social media show a massive fireball erupting from the car, followed by secondary explosions likely caused by nearby fuel tanks igniting.

Initial Forensic Findings
Preliminary forensic tests from the National Bomb Data Centre indicate the use of Ammonium Nitrate as the main explosive component, mixed with fuel oil to enhance its intensity — a signature consistent with several previous improvised explosive device (IED) attacks.

Investigators recovered charred fragments of wiring, detonator residue, and partially melted steel bearings, suggesting the use of a crude but high-impact IED. A senior Delhi Police officer confirmed, “The composition and triggering mechanism point to a well-planned operation. This was not an accidental fire or mechanical fault — it was a deliberate act of terror.”

Vehicle Trail: From Gurugram to the Blast Site
The Hyundai i20, bearing registration number HR26CE7674, was originally registered in Gurugram, Haryana, under the name Mohammad Salman in 2019. Investigations reveal that the vehicle changed hands seven times through secondary sales — often unrecorded — before ending up with the current suspect, Dr. Umar Nabi, a medical practitioner from Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir.

Digital and financial forensics indicate that the last transaction was made in cash, without official transfer documentation. Authorities now suspect that the vehicle was acquired through an underground network often used to move assets linked to sleeper cells.

The Prime Suspect: Dr. Umar Nabi (aka Dr. Mohammad Umar)
According to multiple intelligence sources, Dr. Umar Nabi, aged 32, is a Kashmir-based doctor possibly associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a proscribed terror organization operating out of Pakistan.

NIA officials have reportedly found evidence of his communication with handlers based in Muzaffarabad and Bahawalpur in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, hinting at cross-border coordination. Nabi, who disappeared from Pulwama two weeks before the blast, is now the prime suspect and believed to have perished inside the car during the explosion — though forensic DNA confirmation is still pending.

Officials are also investigating whether the blast was intended to be detonated remotely but went off prematurely due to faulty wiring or a timer error.

Possible Link to the Pulwama Network
Investigators are probing strong similarities between the Red Fort blast and the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, particularly in the chemical composition and assembly of the explosive device. Intelligence inputs suggest that the Red Fort attack could have been planned as part of a revived JeM module, aimed at testing India’s urban counter-terror response.

Security agencies have not ruled out the possibility that the blast was a dry run ahead of a larger planned strike during the upcoming Republic Day celebrations in January 2026.

Investigation Updates: Tracing the Car and the Suspect
CCTV footage from the area shows the vehicle stopping at the signal moments before the blast, supporting theories of a premature detonation during transport of an IED. The NIA has seized remnants of the car for forensic examination, with excavators used to clear debris under tight security.

Car driver Dr. Mohammad Umar a Pulwama-based doctor possibly links to JeM, the Pakistan-based group responsible for the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing that killed 40 Indian paramilitary force, have surfaced through intelligence intercepts and the suspect's background. Dr. Umar's connections to a broader terror module were uncovered during simultaneous raids in Faridabad's Sector 56 on November 10, where 50 kg of explosives and IED components were seized, along with two arrests.

Earlier that day, authorities had recovered a larger cache of up to 2,900 kg of Ammonium Nitrate/IED materials in Haryana, suggesting a coordinated plot for multiple attacks.

The Pulwama connection is particularly alarming, as it echoes the use of vehicle-borne explosives in that attack, prompting fears of a revived JeM network operating in Kashmir and northern India.

Nationwide Security Response
Following the blast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was briefed late Monday night, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and assured “the strongest action against those responsible.” “This act of terror will not weaken India’s resolve. Every link, from the masterminds to the local facilitators, will be brought to justice,” the PM said in an official statement.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired an emergency meeting with NIA, Delhi Police, and the Intelligence Bureau. Security has been tightened across all major metro stations, airports, government complexes, and public gatherings in Delhi and neighboring states.

CCTV Footage and Digital Forensics
CCTV recordings from the Delhi Metro surveillance network captured the vehicle moments before the explosion. The driver appeared calm, wearing a white shirt and medical scrubs, lending further credibility to reports that the suspect was indeed Dr. Umar Nabi.

Mobile tower triangulation around Red Fort between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM shows two suspicious unregistered devices in the vicinity, both traced to prepaid SIM cards purchased in Anantnag district, Kashmir, last month.

Public Reaction and Global Response
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation domestically and internationally. The U.S. State Department, European Union, and United Nations Counter-Terrorism Directorate issued statements denouncing the blast and expressing solidarity with India.

Residents in Old Delhi have demanded stronger surveillance measures and better emergency preparedness. Eyewitnesses said that fire engines took “nearly ten minutes” to arrive due to traffic congestion.

Broader Implications: Echoes of Pulwama and Rising Tensions
The Delhi blast bears hallmarks of the 2019 Pulwama attack, where a JeM suicide bomber used a vehicle laden with explosives to target a CRPF convoy. That incident led to airstrikes on JeM camps in Pakistan. Analysts focused this could signal a new wave of militancy, especially with Kashmir's youth reportedly distancing from local insurgencies post-Article 370 abrogation, forcing groups like JeM to rely on external operatives.

As investigations unfold, the focus remains on dismantling the terror module and preventing further strikes. Community leaders are calling for unity, emphasizing that such acts aim to sow division but will only strengthen resolve against terrorism. 

Authorities urge the public to report suspicious activities, with helplines activated. As India mourns, the quest for justice continues, underscoring the enduring challenge of countering cross-border threats in a volatile region.

Key Questions Under Investigation

• Was the blast a suicide mission or a failed remote detonation?
• Forensic experts are analyzing bone and tissue samples to confirm if the driver died on impact or escaped.

Who financed the operation?

• NIA is tracing money transfers linked to small hawala transactions routed through Srinagar and Punjab.

Were there local enablers in Delhi or Haryana?

• At least five individuals have been detained for questioning, including two auto mechanics and a second-hand car dealer from Gurugram.

Why Red Fort?

• Investigators believe the choice of location — a national monument and a dense commuter hub — was meant to maximize symbolic and human impact.

Legal and Counterterrorism Implications

• The case has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and NIA has taken formal charge of the investigation.
• Security agencies are expected to file a preliminary report within a week.

The Delhi blast underscores persistent challenges in tracking low-cost, high-impact terror tactics — particularly involving civilian vehicles and improvised explosives.