Red Fort Blast: Doctor Planned Babri Day Attack

The Mastermind and the Plan

Dr Umar Nabi, a 28-year-old doctor from Pulwama in south Kashmir, is believed to have been killed in the November 10 blast. Officials said he was at the centre of an interstate "white-collar" Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror module operating across Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

The plan reportedly fell apart following the arrest of Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie alias Musaib, an assistant professor at Faridabad’s Al-Falah University, from whose room police recovered 360 kg of ammonium nitrate. Following Ganaie’s arrest, Umar allegedly panicked, leading to a premature explosion before the device was fully assembled, officials said.

Radicalisation and Terror Links

Investigators said Umar, known as an academically gifted loner, was radicalised after a 2021 trip to Turkey with Ganaie, where they allegedly met overground JeM workers. Upon return, the duo began accumulating explosive materials — ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and sulphur — and storing them around the Al-Falah University campus.

Umar reportedly planned a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack around December 6. However, he panicked on November 10 after learning that Faridabad Police had busted a terror module and recovered 2,900 kg of explosive materials, including those linked to Ganaie.

He later took refuge in a mosque in Delhi for three hours before the accidental blast occurred.

Eight Arrested; Expanding Network Unravelled

So far, eight people have been arrested — seven from Kashmir and one from Lucknow. They include Arif Nisar Dar, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, Maqsood Ahmad Dar, Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, Zameer Ahmad Ahanger, Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, Dr Adeel, and Dr Shaheen Sayeed.

Police said Umar had told friends during a recent visit to Kashmir that he would “not be available for three months,” suggesting a planned underground phase after carrying out the attack.

Reconnaissance and Early Plots

An analysis of dump data retrieved from Dr Muzammil’s mobile phone showed he conducted multiple recces of the Red Fort area in January, possibly ahead of Republic Day. Officials said the plot was likely aborted due to heightened security in the capital.

Investigators also discovered Turkish immigration stamps in the passports of both Umar and Muzammil and are probing possible connections with foreign handlers.

The Red Fort Blast and Aftermath

A powerful explosion tore through a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort on Monday, killing 12 people and injuring several others. Around 2,500 kg of explosive materials — ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate, and sulphur — were later seized as police dismantled the JeM-linked module.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the LNJP Hospital on Wednesday to meet survivors and vowed justice for the victims. “Those behind the conspiracy will be brought to justice,” he said in a post on X.

Forensic Findings and Further Investigation

Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) teams collected about 40 samples from the blast site, with preliminary tests indicating the use of ammonium nitrate. Two cartridges, live ammunition, and traces of multiple explosive types were recovered.

Police have also detained a Faridabad-based car dealer and issued alerts to verify all recent second-hand car sales after discovering that the accused owned another red Ford EcoSport linked to the case.

More Arrests Likely

Jammu and Kashmir Police have detained Maulvi Ishtiyaq, a preacher from Haryana’s Mewat region, who was living in a rented house within the Al-Falah University complex. Over 2,500 kg of explosives were recovered from his accommodation. He is likely to become the ninth arrest in the case.

Meanwhile, senior officers are personally supervising tightened security at interstate borders, metro stations, and bus stands across Delhi.