DNA Test Confirms J&K Doctor Umar Nabi Drove Explosive-Laden i20 Near Delhi’s Red Fort

New Delhi: A forensic breakthrough has confirmed that Dr. Umar Un Nabi, a doctor from Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir, was behind the deadly car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort on November 10. Authorities matched DNA samples from his family with human remains recovered from the destroyed hyundai i20, conclusively identifying him as the driver.

The powerful blast ripped through a crowded street in Old Delhi, one of the city’s busiest areas, leaving at least 12 people dead and many others injured. The explosion caused widespread panic and significant damage around the iconic Red Fort, officials said.

Investigators had long suspected Dr. Umar’s role after it emerged that he had purchased the white Hyundai i20 just 11 days before the explosion. DNA confirmation has now validated their theory, sources close to the Investigation revealed.

Dr. Umar Linked to JeM-Backed Terror Network

Officials have now connected Umar to a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) logistical network operating across South Kashmir, Lucknow, and Faridabad. The group reportedly had 9–10 members, including at least five doctors, who allegedly used their medical credentials to procure chemicals and explosive materials.

Raids, Radicalization, and Fake Identities

Police sources said Umar went missing on November 9, a day after authorities seized nearly 2,900 kg of ammonium nitrate from a Faridabad warehouse. Investigators believe he had gone underground near Dhauj village, deactivating five mobile phones and cutting off all academic contact.

The ongoing probe has since widened, with several individuals detained. Among them is Dr. Shaheen Shahid, a former lecturer arrested in Faridabad who, according to officials, was poised to lead Jamaat-ul-Mominat’s India chapter — the women’s wing of the terror outfit. Two more doctors, Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie and Ajamul Ahmed Malik, have been taken in for questioning over their alleged roles.

Following the arrest of Maulvi Irfan, accused of radicalizing the trio, security forces also raided multiple locations across South Kashmir, including homes linked to Jamaat-e-Islami members.

From a Quiet Scholar to a Radical Operative

Family members from Koil village in Pulwama described Umar as a reserved, soft-spoken man who spent most of his time reading. “He rarely went out or socialized,” a relative recalled.

However, police sources noted a sharp behavioral shift in recent months. Umar began making frequent trips between Faridabad and Delhi, often visiting mosques near Sunehri Masjid and Ramleela Maidan. CCTV footage from the day of the blast shows him parked near a mosque around 3 p.m. before moving toward Red Fort, where the explosion later occurred.

“He stayed in the area for nearly three hours before driving towards the Red Fort,” a senior officer said. Investigators have also seized a red Ford EcoSport registered in Umar’s name from Faridabad, which was found to have a fake Delhi address on its documents.

Foreign Links and Telegram Radicalization

Sources confirmed that Dr. Umar and co-accused Dr. Muzammil Ganaie had traveled to Turkey, where their alleged handlers were based. Passport checks revealed that both men visited the country soon after joining certain Telegram groups used for recruitment and coordination.

Investigators believe that after their Turkey trip, the duo was instructed to “spread across India” and identify high-value targets. Authorities also suspect that the group intended to carry out Diwali-time attacks but were unable to execute the full plan.

According to officials, the radicalization of this so-called “Doctors’ Module” was coordinated via two Telegram channels — one allegedly operated by JeM commander Umar bin Khattab from Pakistan. The module reportedly aimed to orchestrate a series of strikes mirroring the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Widening Probe Across States

Multiple agencies — including the Delhi Police Special Cell, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and the Uttar Pradesh Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS) — are now jointly investigating the network’s reach and sleeper cells across northern India. More arrests are expected as digital forensics and intelligence leads are analyzed.