New Delhi: A day after the Centre called the Delhi car blast a ‘terror incident’, Faridabad Police on Thursday has detained a person linked to a second vehicle — a red Ford EcoSport — in connection with the Red Fort teror attack on Monday (November 10, 2025). The man allegedly parked the car, owned by Umar Nabi–key suspect– in Khandawali village in Haryana.
’32 old vehicles were being converted into attack cars’
Investigators now believe the deadly car explosion near the Red Fort on the evening of November 10 formed part of a much larger terrorist conspiracy. The lead agency, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), has taken over the case and is probing claims that as many as 32 old vehicles were being converted into explosive-laden “attack vehicles”, with at least one having already detonated.
In this broader plot, the exploding car — a white Hyundai i20 — is just one element. Also under scrutiny are a red Ford EcoSport, a Maruti Brezza and a Swift Dzire. The cars – including the Hyundai i20 that exploded Monday evening – were meant to be part of a serial ‘revenge’ attack targeting multiple locations, including six in Delhi on December 6 – when the 16th century Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was torn down by a mob, NDTV reported.
Key suspect identified and traced
DNA testing confirmed that the driver of the Hyundai i20 was Dr Umar Un Nabi, a medical doctor whose body was found in the wreckage with his leg trapped between the steering and accelerator.
CCTV footage shows him moving around Delhi earlier that day — including near a mosque in the Turkman Gate area — and finally arriving at the vehicle parking close to the Red Fort before the blast. Sources further say he was in contact with a handler based abroad, codenamed “Ukasa”.
Umar, the doctor believed to have triggered the deadly car explosion, was at a parking lot nearby for over three hours, reported NDTV. During this time, he did not step out of his car at all and did not leave the vehicle unattended, probe revealed.
Academic institution and hostel become focus of probe
The investigation has zeroed in on a boys’ hostel (Building 17, Room 13) at Al Falah University (Faridabad), where two of the suspects — Dr Umar and Dr Muzammil Shakeel — reportedly met and coordinated.
Diaries recovered from the hostel room contain coded references and lists of names, indicating a structured plan.
Three doctors from the university have been detained by investigators so far.
Vehicle history and explosive haul
The Hyundai i20 used in the explosion had changed hands five times in the last 11 years, making its tracking more complex. In addition to the vehicle, on-site forensics found live cartridges and multiple varieties of explosives — the magnitude of the haul led authorities to declare the incident a terror act.
Toll climbs to 13
The blast ripped through a heavily-guarded area near the Red Fort at approximately 6:52 pm. The blast casaulties have risen to 13 dead and dozens have been wounded.
Given the suspected serial-attack nature of the plan, security has been heightened across the Delhi-NCR region and along major highways. For example, surveillance and checkpoints have been reinforced on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway. Investigators are now engaged tracing the chain of supply and procurement of chemicals and explosives (including large quantities of fertiliser/NPK fertilizer) purportedly used in the scheme.
They are also tracking the movements of the suspects across Delhi and adjoining states via CCTV and digital footprints. Efforts are on for identifying and arresting any remaining co-conspirators and vehicles linked to the plot. The third vehicle involved (Brezza) remains untraced.
