DNA Test Confirms Dr Umar Was Driving the i20 That Exploded Near Red Fort, Say Sources
The investigation into the deadly car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort has taken a significant turn. According to forensic reports, Dr Umar Mohammad , a senior doctor from Al Falah University in Faridabad, was confirmed through DNA testing as the person who drove the i20 that exploded on Monday evening, killing nine people and injuring at least 20 others. The explosion, which occurred at 6:52 pm, sent shockwaves across the capital and prompted an immediate high-level investigation now taken over by the National Investigation Agency ( NIA ).
Dr Umar’s mother was brought from Pulwama for the DNA collection. “We have taken the mother of the suspect to collect DNA samples in order to match them with the parts found at the scene of the blast,” a senior police official told PTI. The test conclusively established Umar’s presence in the car at the time of the explosion.
At 3:19 pm, Dr Umar parked his Hyundai i20 at the Sunehri Masjid parking lot, located near the Red Fort. Before that, he had spent nearly three hours at a mosque on Asaf Ali Road, close to the Ramlila Maidan , where he reportedly offered prayers and stayed quietly for an extended period.
Forensic experts are also studying the type of explosives used, while agencies are exploring possible connections to a larger network of radicalized professionals operating under what officials describe as a “white-collar terrorist ecosystem.”
Authorities have arrested Dr Muzammil Shakeel, another senior medical professional associated with Al Falah Medical College, and identified him as a crucial link in the network. Shakeel’s arrest followed that of Dr Adil Rather, a resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur, who had previously been detained for displaying posters supporting Jaish-e-Mohammed, a banned terror outfit, in Srinagar.
Sources say that Dr Umar panicked following the arrests of Shakeel and Rather. Fearing imminent capture, he allegedly triggered the explosion himself while driving near Red Fort.
Officials said this group operated under the guise of legitimate academic and medical work, maintaining normal professional lives while allegedly aiding extremist causes. The NIA and Delhi Police are now tracing financial transactions, online communications, and travel records linked to the trio.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was visiting Bhutan at the time, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, assuring that the government would ensure “the strictest action” against those responsible.
The NIA is also working with local police units to cross-check information on purchases of explosive materials and the sourcing of the car used in the blast. Early findings indicate that Umar had bought the i20 from a second-hand car dealer in Faridabad’s Sector 37, weeks before the attack.
Experts warn that the emergence of educated individuals in terror ecosystems poses a new and dangerous challenge, as they can operate discreetly under the cover of respectability and professional achievement.
DNA Test Confirms Identity of Dr Umar
Sources told NDTV that DNA samples collected from human remains inside the wrecked i20 — including bones, teeth, and pieces of clothing — matched 100% with the DNA samples of Dr Umar’s mother and brother. This confirmation puts an end to initial uncertainty regarding the driver’s identity after the violent blast left the vehicle completely destroyed.Dr Umar’s mother was brought from Pulwama for the DNA collection. “We have taken the mother of the suspect to collect DNA samples in order to match them with the parts found at the scene of the blast,” a senior police official told PTI. The test conclusively established Umar’s presence in the car at the time of the explosion.
The Chain of Events Leading to the Blast
According to investigative agencies, Dr Umar arrived in Delhi earlier that day. CCTV footage has traced his movements in the hours leading up to the explosion. Between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm, he made two notable stops.At 3:19 pm, Dr Umar parked his Hyundai i20 at the Sunehri Masjid parking lot, located near the Red Fort. Before that, he had spent nearly three hours at a mosque on Asaf Ali Road, close to the Ramlila Maidan , where he reportedly offered prayers and stayed quietly for an extended period.
“He stayed at the mosque for three hours before leaving and heading towards the Red Fort. We are probing the matter from all angles,” a Delhi Police officer told PTI.Shortly after leaving the mosque, the car detonated near the crowded Red Fort area, causing a deafening explosion that killed nine people instantly and injured several bystanders. The explosion’s intensity left a crater on the road and damaged nearby vehicles.
NIA Takes Over Investigation
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) formally took charge of the case on Tuesday evening, citing the seriousness of the incident and potential links to terror networks. Investigators are now analyzing both digital and physical evidence, including the remains of the car, call records, and data retrieved from Umar’s electronic devices.Forensic experts are also studying the type of explosives used, while agencies are exploring possible connections to a larger network of radicalized professionals operating under what officials describe as a “white-collar terrorist ecosystem.”
The Faridabad Connection and Arrests
The blast near Red Fort occurred just hours after the Jammu and Kashmir Police uncovered 3,000 kilograms of explosives from two residential buildings in Faridabad, Haryana. This discovery has drawn a strong link between the two events.You may also like
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Authorities have arrested Dr Muzammil Shakeel, another senior medical professional associated with Al Falah Medical College, and identified him as a crucial link in the network. Shakeel’s arrest followed that of Dr Adil Rather, a resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur, who had previously been detained for displaying posters supporting Jaish-e-Mohammed, a banned terror outfit, in Srinagar.
Sources say that Dr Umar panicked following the arrests of Shakeel and Rather. Fearing imminent capture, he allegedly triggered the explosion himself while driving near Red Fort.
Radicalisation and the “Professional Terror Network”
The ongoing investigation has exposed what agencies describe as a web of educated professionals who had been radicalised and were working covertly to support extremist operations. Dr Umar, Shakeel, and Rather are believed to have shared not only professional affiliations but also ideological ties, making their network particularly difficult to detect.Officials said this group operated under the guise of legitimate academic and medical work, maintaining normal professional lives while allegedly aiding extremist causes. The NIA and Delhi Police are now tracing financial transactions, online communications, and travel records linked to the trio.
Human and Emotional Toll
The explosion near Red Fort — a site teeming with evening visitors and commuters — left behind a trail of devastation. Families of victims gathered outside hospitals through the night, struggling to identify loved ones amid the chaos. Emergency services, including Delhi Police, fire brigades, and disaster management teams, worked late into the night to clear the debris and secure the area.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was visiting Bhutan at the time, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, assuring that the government would ensure “the strictest action” against those responsible.
“Our agencies will go to the bottom of the case. All those responsible will be brought to justice,” the Prime Minister said from Thimphu.
Ongoing Investigation and Security Measures
Following the blast, investigators have expanded their probe to Pulwama, Faridabad, and Delhi NCR, mapping communication networks and digital traces associated with the accused. Dump data from mobile towers near the Red Fort area is being analyzed to identify any accomplices or suspicious communication in the hours leading up to the blast.The NIA is also working with local police units to cross-check information on purchases of explosive materials and the sourcing of the car used in the blast. Early findings indicate that Umar had bought the i20 from a second-hand car dealer in Faridabad’s Sector 37, weeks before the attack.
Broader Implications for National Security
This tragic incident has reignited concerns about homegrown radicalisation and the infiltration of extremist ideology into professional circles. Security agencies are now reviewing the vetting process for sensitive sectors like education and healthcare, especially in regions with prior terror links.Experts warn that the emergence of educated individuals in terror ecosystems poses a new and dangerous challenge, as they can operate discreetly under the cover of respectability and professional achievement.
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