The investigation into Monday’s car explosion near the Red Fort has revealed a chilling timeline of events reconstructed from extensive CCTV footage. Authorities have identified the suspect as Dr Umar Mohammad, a 36-year-old medical professional from Pulwama, linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror network.
A Doctor Turned Terror Operative
According to the Delhi Police and central intelligence agencies, Dr Umar was part of a “white-collar terror module” operating under the cover of professional respectability. His associates, Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather and Dr Muzammil Shakeel, were arrested just hours before the Red Fort explosion.
The trio allegedly played key roles in procuring and assembling nearly 2,900 kilograms of IED-making materials seized during a major raid in Faridabad. Investigators believe that after the arrest of his associates and the exposure of their network, Dr Umar made a desperate, solitary decision to carry out the blast to avoid capture.
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Tracing the Route: From Faridabad to Red Fort
Investigators have meticulously mapped the journey of the white Hyundai i20 (HR 26CE 7674) used in the explosion.
- 7:00 AM (Approx.): The car was first captured on CCTV near Asian Hospital, Faridabad.
- 8:13 AM: The vehicle passed through Badarpur Toll Plaza, entering Delhi. CCTV footage showed a masked man driving, later identified as Umar.
- 3:19 PM: The car was seen entering the Red Fort parking area near the Sunehri Masjid.
The Three-Hour Wait Inside the Car
The most crucial evidence came from CCTV footage of the parking area. It revealed that the suspect remained inside the vehicle for over three and a half hours.
- Duration: From 3:19 PM to 6:48 PM, the car stayed parked while the lone occupant—believed to be Umar—did not step out even once.
- Possible Activities: Investigators suspect that he was either finalising the ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil) explosive device or waiting for the evening rush hour to maximise casualties.
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At 6:48 PM, the car exited the parking lot. Just four minutes later, at 6:52 PM, the vehicle exploded near the Subhash Marg traffic signal, close to Red Fort Metro Station.
DNA Tests to Confirm Identity
Forensic teams have recovered body remains from the blast site. DNA samples from Umar’s family in Pulwama are being matched to confirm his identity. Officials believe that Dr Umar personally triggered the explosion after realising the inevitable collapse of his terror network.
