Red Fort Car Blast: Faheem Linked to Bomber Umar Un Nabi Detained in Faridabad, NIA Intensifies Probe

The Red Fort car blast that shook Delhi earlier this week continues to unravel new layers as investigators close in on the suspects. Faridabad Police have detained a man believed to be Faheem, a relative of Dr. Umar Un Nabi, the alleged mastermind behind the deadly explosion that claimed 13 lives near the Red Fort Metro Station on November 10.

Relative of Key Suspect Detained in Faridabad

Officials confirmed that Faheem, who allegedly parked the red Ford EcoSport found abandoned in Khandwali, was detained on Thursday. Intelligence sources told ANI that he is related to Dr. Umar Un Nabi, the man suspected to have driven the explosive-laden Hyundai i20 that detonated near Red Fort.

Centre Declares Blast a Terrorist Attack

The Central Government has officially classified the Red Fort explosion as a terrorist incident. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, reading out a Cabinet resolution, described the event as a “heinous attack” orchestrated by anti-national forces.
“The Cabinet directs that the investigation be pursued with utmost urgency and professionalism so that the perpetrators, collaborators, and sponsors are brought to justice,” Vaishnaw said.

13 Dead, Dozens Injured in Red Fort Explosion

The explosion occurred on Monday evening near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, when a Hyundai i20 packed with explosives went off. The blast killed 13 people and injured several others, scattering debris across one of Delhi’s busiest tourist areas.

Emergency teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Delhi Fire Service, rushed to the site to douse the flames and rescue victims trapped in nearby vehicles.

Red Ford EcoSport Traced to Khandwali Village

In a major breakthrough, Delhi Police tracked down a red Ford EcoSport suspected to be linked to Umar Un Nabi. The vehicle was found parked near Khandwali village in Faridabad, triggering a swift joint operation between Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh police teams.

Investigators believe the EcoSport may have been used for reconnaissance or as a backup vehicle in the terror plot. Its recovery could provide critical leads into the wider network involved.

Investigators Probe “White-Collar Terror Module”

The case has taken a new turn with investigators exploring the role of what they describe as a “white-collar terror module.”
Key suspects — Dr. Mohammad Umar Nabi, Dr. Muzammil Ganaie, and Dr. Shaheen Sayeed — were reportedly associated with Al-Falah University in Faridabad.

While the university has denied any institutional connection, police suspect the trio may have leveraged their academic and professional credentials to avoid scrutiny while coordinating extremist activities.

Car Dealer Among Those Detained

Police also detained Amit, a Faridabad-based car dealer, who allegedly helped arrange the sale of the Hyundai i20 used in the explosion. Investigators are mapping the chain of ownership to determine how the vehicle ended up with those accused of executing the blast.

Preliminary findings suggest that forged documents may have been used to transfer the car’s ownership to a Pulwama resident now under the scanner.

Nationwide Crackdown Underway

In parallel with the Red Fort investigation, security agencies have intensified raids at over 500 locations across Jammu and Kashmir. The searches target associates of banned organisations such as Jamaat-e-Islami and other extremist groups reportedly attempting to reorganize under new identities.

Officials say these raids are based on intelligence inputs suggesting renewed attempts to revive sleeper cells and fund terror operations through front organisations.

Political and Security Response

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials from the Intelligence Bureau, NIA, and Delhi Police to review progress. Sources said Shah emphasized a “zero-tolerance” approach and directed agencies to submit preliminary findings within 48 hours.

The Delhi Police Special Cell and NIA are now jointly handling the forensic and technical analysis of recovered materials.

What Lies Ahead

As investigators piece together the evidence, questions remain about how such a major attack was planned and executed in the heart of the capital. The arrests in Faridabad are expected to open a clearer trail connecting the bombers, financiers, and facilitators involved.

Authorities have urged the public to remain calm, assuring that additional security measures have been deployed across metro stations and heritage zones in Delhi.

The case, which has already exposed the dangerous convergence of education, technology, and terror, could become one of India’s most complex counter-terror investigations in recent years.