Who’s the Suspect Behind the Delhi Red Fort Blast? Here’s What We Know So Far

The investigation into the Delhi Red Fort blast has taken a shocking turn — the main suspect isn’t just any man, but Mohammad Umar, a doctor who worked at Al Falah Medical College in Faridabad. He’s suspected to be part of the Faridabad terror module and, according to sources, was close to Adeel Ahmad Rather, a former senior resident doctor at the Government Medical College (GMC) in Anantnag.

Authorities raided a location in Faridabad on Monday after Rather’s arrest last week, and Umar’s name quickly surfaced as a key figure in the operation.

The Blast and the Moment Before It

The explosion rocked Delhi on Monday night, killing ten and injuring more than 20 others near the historic Red Fort — a popular tourist spot bustling with people at the time.

CCTV footage showed a Hyundai i20, later identified as the car that exploded, entering the parking lot near Sunehri Masjid at 3:19 p.m. and leaving around 6:48 p.m. The blast happened minutes later, at 6:52 p.m.

In the video, the driver’s face is initially visible, but moments later, a masked man is seen behind the wheel. Police believe that man was Umar.

Investigators have confirmed that Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil was used in the explosion — a highly potent mixture responsible for the powerful impact that shattered nearby vehicle windows and glass panels at the Red Fort Metro Station.

What Investigators Found So Far

According to sources, Umar planned the attack with two associates and executed it in a panic after arrests in Faridabad earlier that day. Authorities are also tracing over 100 CCTV clips from nearby areas and toll plazas to map the car’s full route.

The i20 entered Delhi from the Badarpur border, but what happened afterward remains under investigation.

Currently, 13 suspects are being interrogated by Delhi Police, while forensic teams work on DNA testing to confirm who was inside the car when it exploded.

The Car’s Complicated History

Turns out, the vehicle has quite a story. The Hyundai i20 originally belonged to Mohammad Salman, who was arrested Monday night. The car changed hands several times — from Nadeem to a used car dealer (Royal Car Zone, Faridabad), then to Aamir, followed by Tariq, and finally to Mohammad Umar.

Both Aamir and Tariq are now under police custody. Tariq is also believed to be part of the Faridabad terror module, and the car is still registered in Salman’s name.

Authorities believe the Red Fort attack may have been a fidayeen-style act — carried out impulsively after the arrest of another key figure, Dr. Muzamil Shakeel, from whom police seized 2,900 kg of explosive materials.

Explosives and Sleeper Cells

Delhi Police’s Special Cell has linked the materials used in the blast to explosives recovered in Faridabad. Early reports suggest ammonium nitrate as the main ingredient, with a final forensic confirmation expected soon.

Police also suspect that Shakeel was assisted by a sleeper cell in Faridabad, which helped him acquire the massive amount of explosive materials. Multiple agencies are now working together to track his network and accomplices.

Victims Yet to Be Identified

Out of the ten bodies recovered, only two men have been identified so far. One additional body part has been found, making identification difficult. Authorities are relying on DNA testing and post-mortem results to confirm the victims’ identities.

The Delhi Police have filed an FIR under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for terrorism-related offenses, along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Explosive Substances Act, and charges of murder and attempted murder.

Delhi on High Alert

The Red Fort explosion sent shockwaves across the capital. Witnesses said the blast was deafening, heard up to 2 kilometers away, reaching as far as ITO.

In response, Delhi Police have intensified security checks across all major city borders, with vehicle inspections ramped up. The Chandni Chowk market will remain closed as investigations continue.