Red Fort blast suspect revealed as Faridabad doctor; first image shows alleged bomber who triggered deadly attack

The investigation into the Red Fort blast that killed nine people and injured 20 has taken a decisive turn, with the first image emerging of the suspected bomber, Dr Mohammad Umar — a medico linked to the Faridabad terror module.

Sources say Umar, who worked at Al Falah Medical College, is believed to have driven the Hyundai i20 that exploded just metres from the Red Fort on November 10 evening.

Authorities say Umar was a close associate of Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather, a former senior resident at GMC Anantnag who was arrested last week. Information obtained from Rather led to a raid in Faridabad on Monday, triggering panic within the module and allegedly prompting Umar to carry out the attack prematurely with two associates.

Investigators believe the trio placed a detonator inside the vehicle, using Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil to engineer the high-intensity blast during peak tourist hours. The car, which had been parked near Sunehri Masjid for nearly three hours, was captured on CCTV entering the lot at 3.19 pm and leaving at 6.48 pm.

The explosion followed within minutes. One frame shows Umar’s face clearly before the driver is later seen masked.

A second footage has confirmed that the suspect was alone while entering and exiting the parking area. Delhi Police are now reconstructing the route towards Daryaganj, scanning more than 100 CCTV clips including toll plaza footage. The car was last traced entering Delhi from the Badarpur border, but its subsequent movements remain unclear.

Jammu and Kashmir Police have detained Umar’s mother, Shaheema Bano, and brothers Aashiq and Zahroor for questioning. Delhi Police, meanwhile, are interrogating at least 13 suspects linked to the blast.

Car’s shadowy ownership trail deepens terror angle

The i20 used in the blast has changed hands repeatedly in recent months. Intelligence sources say the vehicle was first owned by Mohammad Salman, arrested on Monday night, and later sold to Nadeem, then to Royal Car Zone, a used-car dealership in Faridabad. The car eventually ended up with Aamir, then Tariq — suspected to be part of the Faridabad module — before reaching Umar.

Authorities believe Umar panicked after the arrest of Dr Muzamil Shakeel, from whose possession 2,900 kg of IED-making material was recovered, and may have executed the blast as a fidayeen-style act. Both Aamir and Tariq are being questioned in connection with the vehicle’s transfer, which remains officially registered in Salman’s name.

Forensic teams will conduct DNA analysis to confirm the identity of the person driving the car at the moment of the explosion.

Investigators probe explosive supply chain

Initial forensic assessments point to ammonium nitrate at the blast site, though a final medical report is awaited. Delhi Police have requested information from the Faridabad Crime Branch and J&K Police about explosive materials recovered earlier. Investigators suspect that Shakeel was supported by a sleeper cell operating in Faridabad and are now tracing his network of associates.

A coordinated raid in Faridabad is expected based on fresh leads extracted during interrogation.

Victim identification underway as Delhi remains on high alert

Of the nine bodies recovered from the blast site, only two men have been identified so far. The remaining remains including a severed body part require DNA profiling and post-mortem analysis to establish identity.

Delhi Police have invoked Sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Explosive Substances Act, in addition to charges of murder and attempt to murder.

Witnesses described a deafening explosion that shattered window panes of cars parked several metres away, cracked the Red Fort Metro Station’s glass panels, and was heard as far as ITO — nearly two kilometres from the site. Chandni Chowk market will remain closed on November 11 as precaution.

Security has been heightened across the Capital, with intensified checks at border points and high-alert deployments across sensitive zones.