Umar Nabi's Red Fort Attack: Ammonium Nitrate and Petroleum Used

Post by : Raina Nasser

New Delhi, Nov 15, 2025 – An investigation into the devastating car bomb incident near the Red Fort in Delhi has uncovered that Umar Nabi, the driver, utilized over 2 kilograms of ammonium nitrate combined with petroleum and other detonating agents, officials disclosed on Saturday. The tragic blast, which occurred on November 10, resulted in 13 fatalities and left more than 20 individuals injured, also causing extensive damage to various vehicles in this busy metropolitan area.

Sources from the agencies involved in the investigation have labeled Umar Nabi as an "expert" in explosives. Forensic teams have retrieved over 52 explosive samples from the site, revealing the alarming simplicity with which such devices can be assembled in mere minutes.

Investigators reported that Nabi entered a nearby parking structure around 3:19 pm, remaining there for over three hours before the Hyundai i20 he was driving detonated at a traffic signal on Netaji Subhash Marg. This location is adjacent to both the Red Fort and the bustling Chandni Chowk. Authorities suspect that Nabi had intended to detonate the bomb within the Red Fort parking area but panicked after the apprehension of his associates and the seizure of explosives in Faridabad.

Nabi, a doctor from Kashmir associated with Al Falah University in Faridabad, allegedly lost his opportunity to execute his attack because the Red Fort is closed to visitors on Mondays. Sources confirmed that he became anxious after the arrest of his accomplices, Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie and Shaheen Saeed, amid a broader investigation into a ‘white-collar’ terror network connected to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed and the al-Qaeda-affiliated Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind.

On the day of the bombing, Jammu and Kashmir Police confirmed they had dismantled an inter-state and transnational terror module, seizing 2,900 kilograms of explosives and arresting seven suspects. Authorities are currently examining possible connections between the Red Fort incident and this dismantled terror network.

The Red Fort bombing has raised significant alarm regarding security in densely populated urban areas of Delhi, emphasizing the advanced explosive capabilities of terror groups operating across state borders. Law enforcement officials are stressing the importance of improved surveillance and the urgent need for collaborative efforts among intelligence agencies to thwart future attacks.

As forensic investigations press on, officials are focusing on tracing the sources of ammonium nitrate and petroleum used in the explosive device, as well as identifying any potential global ties to terrorist organizations. Ensuring public safety and effective crowd management remain critical, especially in tourist-centric locations such as the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk.

This incident highlights the shifting strategies of terrorist organizations in India and the enduring menace posed by international extremist factions. Authorities are advocating for heightened vigilance and community collaboration to avert further calamitous events.