New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet in the Red Fort explosion in which 15 people were killed on November 10, 2025.
The blast was a suicide bombing, with accused Umar Un Nabi detonating the improvised explosive device (IED) from inside the i20 he was driving, the chargesheet said.
DNA analysis of biological material recovered from the blast site, near Gate No. 1 of Red Fort Metro station, confirmed that Nabi was inside the vehicle at the time of the blast.
The massive explosion took place at around 6.50 pm when Nabi activated the IED through a command mechanism.
Nabi, identified as the alleged mastermind and ‘operational in-charge’ of the revived Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH) module, had been planning the attack for nearly two years, the chargesheet revealed.
NIA traced reconnaissance of the Red Fort blast to December 2023, with Nabi and other accused visiting the site repeatedly.
According to Investigators, the Red Fort was selected as a target because it was viewed as a “symbol of the Indian state”.
Nabi was allegedly working since early 2022 to revive the dormant AGuH module and build a network of radicalised individuals capable of carrying out terrorist activities.
The chargesheet indicates that Nabi rushed to carry out the attack following a series of arrests in Srinagar, fearing that agencies were closing in on him.
The chargesheet mentions that the vehicle used in the attack was converted into a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED).
Forensic examination of material recovered from the blast site found traces of TATP and ammonium nitrate.
As for ideological materials followed by members of the module, NIA has stated at the centre of the investigation is Lone Mujahid Pocket Book/How to Become an Assassin, which the NIA has linked to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
The document contained operational guidance relating to explosives, weapons, covert operations and IEDs, besides advocating lone-wolf and suicide attacks.
NIA has referred to other extremist literature recovered during the probe, including documents titled Definition of Jihad, The Requirements of Jihad, The 21 Aims and Objectives of Jihad, 39 Ways to Serve and Participate in Jihad and 44 Ways to Support Jihad.
The chargesheet claims Nabi played a key role in radicalising recruits, organising secret meetings, facilitating terror training, arranging funds, procuring illegal weapons and securing locations for the module.
Nabi communicated through encrypted platforms such as Signal, while clandestine meetings were held across Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi-NCR.
