Security agencies on Thursday demolished the Pulwama home of Dr Umar Nabi, the key suspect in the recent car bomb explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort that claimed 13 lives and injured over 20 people. The operation was carried out in the early hours in Quil village, where teams used a controlled improvised explosive device to bring down the structure after cordoning off the area.
Investigators have identified Dr Nabi as the man who drove the Hyundai i20 that exploded outside the historic monument. His identity was confirmed through DNA analysis, with samples from the blast site matching those collected from his mother. Authorities say this confirmation marked a turning point in the investigation, leading to intensified action in Jammu & Kashmir and the National Capital Region.
According to officials, Nabi was part of a larger terror module involving several medical professionals from Kashmir. Two doctors linked to him were arrested during raids in Faridabad, where security forces recovered an enormous cache of explosives weighing nearly 2,900 kilograms. These findings have led investigators to believe the group was preparing for a series of coordinated attacks before the premature blast in Delhi disrupted their plans.
Sources suggest the Red Fort explosion may have been triggered in panic. After the Faridabad seizures, the module allegedly feared imminent detection and hastily attempted to move or deploy their device, resulting in an unstable, incomplete bomb detonating sooner than intended. Forensic teams have also noted that the chemical signatures of the Delhi blast match those found in the Faridabad operation, reinforcing the link between the two cases.
Security agencies say the demolition of Nabi’s house serves as a signal that infrastructure aiding terror networks will not be allowed to persist. The operation also aimed to prevent the property from being used again as a safe house or logistical hub. Local authorities ensured that nearby homes were evacuated during the controlled blast, and no injuries were reported.
The case has triggered heightened security measures across Delhi and Kashmir, with central agencies widening their search for remaining members of the network. Investigators are now focusing on the module’s financing, communication channels, and potential international connections. The Union Home Ministry has instructed agencies to track down every individual associated with the plot, with senior officials emphasising that the dismantling of the network is far from complete.
As the probe continues, the Red Fort blast is emerging as one of the most significant terror investigations in recent years, exposing an unexpected nexus and raising concerns about radicalisation among educated professionals. Authorities expect more arrests as the operation expands across multiple states.
