Deadly Car Bomb Rocks Delhi's Red Fort, NIA Leads Terror Probe

A powerful car explosion near Delhi's iconic Red Fort on Monday evening, November 10, 2025, resulted in at least 13 fatalities and over 20 injuries, according to official updates. The incident, which occurred at approximately 6:52 PM IST near Gate No. 1 of the Lal Quila Metro Station, has been officially declared a "heinous terror incident" by the Union Cabinet.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has swiftly taken charge of the probe, examining security footage and forensic evidence to uncover the full scope of the attack, Jagran Josh reported on November 13. Authorities are working to determine if a larger terror network is responsible for the devastating blast, which involved a white Hyundai i20 car.

Forensic analysis has confirmed Dr. Umar Mohammad, also known as Dr. Umar Un Nabi, as the driver of the exploded vehicle, according to police sources on Thursday. DNA samples from his mother matched remains found at the blast site, solidifying his identification as a key figure in the attack, The Economic Times reported.

This tragic event has prompted immediate and widespread security enhancements across Delhi and other major Indian cities, as reported by MitKat Advisory on November 11. The Lal Quila Metro Station remains closed indefinitely due to security concerns, The Hindu stated on November 13.

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condemned the act as perpetrated by "anti-national forces" and vowed to bring all perpetrators to justice, The New Indian Express confirmed on November 12. Home Minister Amit Shah has also chaired high-level security meetings, instructing agencies to "hunt down each and every culprit" behind the incident, newsonair reported.

Investigators are exploring the possibility that the blast was a panicked reaction by Dr. Umar Nabi following the recent busting of a multi-state "white-collar terror module," according to intelligence agency sources cited by PTI. This module, allegedly linked to banned outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), had been under surveillance, The Times of India reported.

International condemnation has also followed, with Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan expressing condolences and solidarity with India, as reported by Delhi Blast LIVE Updates. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also explicitly called the incident a "terrorist attack" on November 12, praising India's handling of the investigation, The Hindu noted.

• Background and Context of the Attack: The explosion near the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of India's independence, marks the deadliest terrorist attack in Delhi in over a decade, according to The Guardian on November 12. The incident occurred during peak evening traffic, maximizing casualties and impact in a bustling area of Old Delhi, as described by Time Magazine.

• Unearthing a "White-Collar Terror Module": The investigation has revealed a sophisticated "white-collar terror module" comprising doctors, clerics, and radicalized professionals, linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), The Times of India reported on November 13. Joint operations across multiple states led to the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of over 2,900 kilograms of explosives and firearms.

• Identity of the Driver and Broader Conspiracy: Dr. Umar Mohammad, a resident of Pulwama and an assistant professor at Al-Falah University in Faridabad, has been identified through DNA as the driver of the Hyundai i20, The Hindu confirmed on November 13. Intelligence agencies suspect a larger plot involving plans to prepare up to 32 old vehicles with explosives for coordinated attacks across various locations, Delhi Blast Live Updates stated.

• Heightened Security and Public Anxiety: Following the blast, a high alert was issued across Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Hyderabad, with increased surveillance at transport hubs and markets, MitKat Advisory reported. The closure of the Lal Quila Metro Station and traffic restrictions underscore the severe security measures implemented, leading to public anxiety, as evidenced by a bus tire burst sparking panic in Mahipalpur, according to India News.

• Political and International Reactions: The Indian government's swift declaration of the incident as a "terror attack" signifies a firm stance against such acts, aligning with its "zero tolerance towards terrorism" policy, The Guardian noted. This incident, coupled with a subsequent blast in Islamabad, has further strained already tense relations between India and Pakistan, Time Magazine highlighted on November 12.

• Investigative Progress and Future Steps: The NIA's comprehensive investigation involves examining CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and call records to trace the network behind the explosion, The Economic Times reported. Arrests of key figures like Dr. Muzammil Shakeel and Dr. Adeel Rather, along with the recovery of bomb-making materials, are crucial steps in dismantling the terror cell and preventing future attacks, according to The Times of India.

• Historical Context of Terror in Delhi: While Delhi has experienced terror attacks in the past, including the 2000 Red Fort attack by Lashkar-e-Taiba and the 2011 Delhi High Court blast, this incident marks a significant breach after a relatively calm period in the capital's hinterland, India Today analyzed on November 11. The use of a car bomb and the involvement of educated professionals represent an evolving threat landscape.