Investigators have confirmed that the Hyundai i20 used in the devastating suicide attack was registered in Ali’s name. His arrest in Delhi followed extensive searches conducted by NIA teams shortly after they assumed control of the case from Delhi Police.

Authorities indicate that Amir Rashid Ali, a resident of Samboora in Pampore, was in contact with the suspected bomber, Umar Un Nabi. Ali allegedly played a pivotal role in sourcing and arranging the vehicle that was ultimately converted into a deadly car bomb.

The NIA has now corroborated through forensic evidence that Umar Un Nabi, a former Assistant Professor from Pulwama, was indeed the individual driving the explosive-laden vehicle. Nabi was associated with the General Medicine department at Al Falah University in Faridabad.

Further intensifying the probe, investigators have also seized a second vehicle connected to Nabi, which is currently undergoing detailed examination for any additional evidence. To date, the NIA has recorded statements from 73 witnesses, including many who sustained injuries in the blast, as they work to uncover the full scope of the conspiracy and identify all individuals involved in this heinous act. The agency is collaborating with various police forces, including those from Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, to pursue all available leads.

The Indian government has vehemently condemned the incident as a “heinous terror act” and has instructed all investigating agencies to proceed with the utmost urgency and professionalism. A resolution passed by the Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscored India’s resolute stance against terrorism. The statement emphasized a “zero tolerance policy towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations” and pledged swift action to identify, apprehend, and bring all perpetrators, collaborators, and their sponsors to justice.

Initial investigations point towards a dismantled extremist module in Faridabad as a potential link to the Red Fort explosion. This module is reportedly connected to the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and individuals associated with Al-Falah University in Haryana. Authorities suspect the attack might have been carried out in desperation following recent security crackdowns. Dr. Umar Nabi, a physician reportedly employed at Al-Falah Hospital in Faridabad, is a person of interest, believed to have driven the white Hyundai i20 involved.

Security officials suggest that recent operations by security agencies may have thwarted a larger, coordinated terror plot across India. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has now taken the lead in the investigation of the Red Fort blast. The Union Cabinet, following a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), expressed profound grief for the victims. The explosion not only caused fatalities but also ignited fires in nearby vehicles, leading to significant property damage.

Initial reports indicate that the blast caused significant damage and resulted in casualties among pedestrians and those in nearby vehicles. Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that emergency services, including the Delhi Crime Branch and Delhi Special Branch, arrived at the scene within 10 minutes of the incident. The investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing.

The tragic event prompted an outpouring of grief from the Indian entertainment industry. Bollywood personalities took to social media to express their shock and extend condolences to the families affected by the blast. Actress Raveena Tandon described the news as ‘horrible’ and offered her sympathies to the bereaved families. Actor Sonu Sood shared his heartfelt concern for those impacted and urged for unity and peace in the aftermath. Designer Riddhima Kapoor Sahni conveyed her sorrow via Instagram, praying for the victims and their families, and calling for swift justice for those responsible.

The leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party also shared his deep shock and sadness over the loss of life, extending condolences and wishing for the recovery of the injured.

Embassies from Egypt, France, Japan, Britain, and Lithuania, among others, shared messages of sympathy and support on social media platforms. They extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and offered prayers for the swift recovery of all those injured in the blast. These statements underscore a united global concern over the violent event that disrupted the capital.

The explosion, originating from a Haryana-registered car parked close to Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, caused widespread damage. Several vehicles were engulfed in flames, and critical infrastructure like streetlights sustained damage. The injured have been transported to LNJP Hospital for urgent medical attention and are currently under observation.

Authorities, including police, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the National Security Guard (NSG), swiftly arrived at the scene. Investigations are actively underway, with forensic teams examining the site and CCTV footage being scrutinized to piece together the sequence of events and identify those responsible. High-security alerts have been activated across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Mumbai, with enhanced security measures implemented in public areas and religious locations.

One harrowing account described a delivery driver being tragically burnt alive in the immediate aftermath of the explosion. The blast was powerful enough to damage nearby vehicles and sent shockwaves across the capital, raising immediate concerns of a potential terror attack.

Investigations revealed the bomb was planted in a moving white Hyundai i20 that had reportedly slowed down at a Red Fort traffic signal. Forensic and bomb disposal units recovered crucial fragments, including parts of the car’s frame and its registration plate. This discovery served as the first significant breakthrough, leading investigators to Gurugram.

The vehicle was registered to a Mohammad Salman, who was detained for questioning. He informed police that he had sold the car approximately 18 months prior to a Devendra from Delhi’s Okhla area, providing sales documentation. Further inquiries unearthed that Devendra had subsequently sold the same car to a Nadeem in Ambala, Haryana. Ambala police are now actively involved in tracing Nadeem and verifying his background.

Authorities suspect the car may have changed hands multiple times in an attempt to conceal its movements and origins. The Special Cell of Delhi Police is exploring the possibility that the vehicle was part of a larger, cross-state terror network. Experts are currently analyzing chemical samples to determine the exact nature of the explosive used, with initial findings pointing to a powerful improvised device. The investigation continues to unravel how an ordinary car became a deadly weapon in the heart of India’s capital.