Red Fort Blast: Bomber Justifies Suicide Blast as ‘Martyrdom Operation’ in a Self-Recorded Video; Death Toll Hits 15

Delhi’s Red Fort saw a regular Monday evening turn into a chaotic scene as a parked white Hyundai i10 car suddenly exploded at around 7:45 p.m. The blast claimed the lives of 13 people, leaving almost 30 injured. The explosion sent a wave of panic through the area as a deafening sound was followed by smoke and flames from the car. It damaged several vehicles parked nearby, with the impact clearly visible at the scene. The car had been parked for almost three hours in the parking lot, from 3:15 to 6:48 p.m. The blast took place around 7:00 p.m. near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station.

The injured were immediately rushed to Lok Nayak Hospital, while police and security personnel were dispatched to the site. The investigation began quickly, with the forensic department reaching early in the morning of November 11 to collect samples and inspect the blast site. There were also investigations of CCTV footage from the area and surrounding locations. Reports suggest that around 100 CCTV recordings are being reviewed. One such footage shows a man wearing a black mask sitting inside the car minutes before the explosion.

The exact reason for the blast is still under investigation, though officials believe the cause to be an improvised explosive device (IED) hidden inside the vehicle. It is suspected to be a planned act intended to spread fear. Police are now scanning the area and nearby locations for security purposes. Areas across Delhi and bordering states have also tightened security around historical sites, public spaces, and public transport hubs. Officials have confirmed that no prior threats were received regarding any such blasts.

“This is a serious incident,” Delhi Police Commissioner R.K. Mehra said in a late-night briefing. “We are treating it as a high-priority case. Our teams are examining every lead to trace the suspect and understand the motive behind the attack.” The National Security Guard (NSG) and forensic experts continue to examine the remains of the vehicle to determine whether the bomb was triggered remotely or through a timer. A preliminary report is expected within the next two days. [SY]

As the blast took place around 7 p.m., Home Minister Amit Shah arrived at the blast site near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station at around 9:45 p.m. to inspect the scene. He later visited the hospital where the injured had been admitted, spending nearly 30 minutes with the victims. He also held discussions with Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha and officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

He will now chair a high-level security review meeting at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 2025, at Kartavya Bhawan. Home Minister Amit Shah will be joined by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Kumar Deka, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, and NIA Director General Sadanand Vasant Date, while Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat will join the meeting virtually.

An investigation into the Red Fort blast has now pointed towards a suspect named Mohammad Umar, a doctor from Faridabad. He originally hails from Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir. Police have detained his mother and two brothers, Aashiq and Zahroor, for questioning.

The white Hyundai i20 used in the explosion has also come under scrutiny, as it reportedly changed ownership multiple times, from Mohammad Salman to Devender, then to Aamir, later to Tariq, and finally ending up with Umar himself. The car was purchased from a second-hand dealer in Faridabad. It had been parked for nearly three hours before the blast and now lies at the center of the investigation.

Multiple raids are being carried out across western Uttar Pradesh, including the Saharanpur, Shamli, and Muzaffarnagar districts, by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). Officials have reportedly detained seven individuals in connection with the ongoing investigation, suspecting a link between the suspects and a module operating out of Faridabad.

Another ATS team has also launched raids to trace networks linked to AQIS (Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent) leader Bilal Khan. Reports suggest around 4,000 suspicious phone numbers were recovered from Bilal Khan's mobile device. There has also been a revelation of his contact with a Pakistani handler.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently visiting Bhutan, expressed deep sorrow and anger over the tragic blast in Delhi's Red Fort region on 10th November 2025. He assured the country that necessary action would be taken to bring justice to the victims, calling it a "cowardly and inhumane act." He added that he was personally monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates from Home Minister Amit Shah and senior security officials.

He also announced that he would chair a Cabinet Committee on Security in New Delhi on 12th November 2025 to review the progress of the investigation and assess the overall security situation. He emphasized that the government would prioritize justice for the victims while also strengthening measures to prevent such attacks in the future. He said, "Every life lost is a loss to the nation."

The news of the tragic incident has received heartfelt condolences from all over the world, including world leaders and High Commissions. Bhutan expressed deep sorrow with India over the blast incident, and His Majesty the King of Bhutan led a prayer along with thousands of Bhutanese at the Changlimethang Stadium in Thimphu. He also prayed for the victims of the blast.

The incident garnered sympathy for the victims’ families as the United States and the United Kingdom condemned the act. The British High Commission in New Delhi said, “Our deepest condolences go out to the families of those who lost their lives, and we wish the injured a swift recovery.” Countries like France, Australia, and Japan shared similar sentiments, stressing the need for unity against senseless violence and extending their sincere condolences. Other nations, including the European Union, Sri Lanka, Egypt, and Israel, also reflected global compassion as humanity stands together.

The Indian Railways has issued a high alert across 70 railway divisions following the recent blast at the Red Fort. It covers all 19 zones. Security has been increased as the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is carrying out thorough checks of two-wheelers and four-wheelers in station premises and parking areas. There has been continuous monitoring and vigilance across major stations, with instructions given to the deployed RPF personnel to ensure the safety of passengers. This has been done to strengthen security and prevent any unwanted incidents across the rail network.

The investigation into the Red Fort blast has been officially taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), as there is suspicion of a larger and more coordinated terror network. There are possible links across multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir, as several arrests have taken place in these states for having links with AQIS.

The agency will now be keeping a close eye on potential funding, communication trails, and inter-state movements connected to the suspects. A planned and multi-layered act of terror is being suspected, and the NIA will ensure a unified and in-depth probe.

Home Minister Amit Shah is hosting a second security review meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs to discuss updates on the investigation. The meeting is being attended by the Director General of the NIA, the Home Secretary, the IB Director, Delhi Police Commissioner, and the J&K DGP.

The meeting began at 3pm, following the takeover of the case by the NIA, and forensic analyses by the FSL.

Meanwhile, the Congress has demanded clarity in the situation from the Home Ministry. Pawan Khera, Media and Publicity Head of the Congress, said that 18 hours later it is still not clear whether the blast was an ‘attack’ or not.

“There is fear and concern among the people that such a thing happened in the country’s capital, so it is important to have answers and there should be clarity on it,” he said.

“I don’t think that it is appropriate for the government to give out source-based information on such a serious matter. There should be a press conference by the home minister, home secretary or the Delhi Police commissioner, and share information that is needed.”

“I understand all information cannot be shared due to security reasons but different theories should not be floated,” he concluded.

An explosion took place at 12:30pm on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, in Pakistan’s Islamabad, killing 12 people and injuring over 25. The explosion occurred at the entrance of Islamabad district court and, according to Pak officials, was the result of a suicide attack.

Most of those killed were lawyers. The culprits are yet to be identified.

Officials speculated that the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or the Pakistani Taliban, was behind the attack since a TTP operation had been foiled earlier in the day. The TTP has denied involvement. Defence Minister of Pakistan, Khawaja Asif, pointed to links with the country’s ongoing conflict with Afghanistan – the TTP is supported by the Taliban.

The incident closely follows an explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort which killed 13 people.

Investigation and police agencies have launched multiple raids on locations linked to the accused in the Delhi Blast case.

The UP Anti-Terrorism Squad has raided multiple locations across the state. The residence of a Lucknow based doctor – with alleged links to one of the accused – was also searched. At the same time, at least 52 people have been questioned at Al Falah University in Haryana’s Faridabad, where one of the accused worked. Six individuals have been detained and are being interrogated.

Meanwhile, Delhi Fire Services (DFS) has reported receiving five calls regarding ‘unclaimed’ vehicles and bags around the city. DFS confirmed that all were false scares.

“The first call was received at 9.15 pm from Bijwasan, reporting an unclaimed bag. We rushed a fire vehicle immediately dispatched to the spot, but nothing suspicious was found,” an official commented.

The NIA has formally taken over the 2025 Delhi Blast case after a notification was issued regarding the same earlier in the day. ““MHA has issued orders for handing over investigation of car blast case to NIA,” said a spokesperson for the agency. “NIA, which was associated with the local police since yesterday, has started the process of formally taking over the case.”

The Delhi Police has submitted its findings to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The preliminary report highlights the sequence of events and the coordination of the different state agencies in conducting the investigation.

Meanwhile, new CCTV footage has emerged from Chandni Chowk showing the main suspect, Umar Mohammad, seated in the car before the explosion. He remained in the car for three hours – from 3:19pm to 6:48pm – before the explosion, while the car was stationed in a parking lot.

This answers a key question about the timeline of events – earlier, agencies were speculating as to Umar’s whereabout during the time the car was parked. The new evidence proves that he did not leave the car even once.

As part of the ongoing probe into the Delhi Red Fort blast, forensic experts have collected 42 samples from the explosion site, which will be sent for laboratory analysis beginning tomorrow, officials said. Among the recovered items are both tyres of the Hyundai i20, its chassis, CNG cylinder, and fragments of the bonnet scattered by the powerful explosion.

Experts believe these components could provide crucial clues about the cause and nature of the blast. Swab samples have been taken from each item to identify the exact type and chemical composition of the explosives. Around 20 of the samples are vehicle parts that took the brunt of the impact. The upcoming forensic analysis is expected to shed light on the source, strength, and mechanism of the explosion.

Police sources revealed that Dr. Muzzamil Shakeel, a doctor associated with Al Falah Hospital in Faridabad, had rented a small room for ₹2,400 for two months. He allegedly stored the explosives in this room before disappearing and never returning. Shakeel is among several doctors linked to the hospital who were arrested in connection with an alleged terror module following the seizure of over 2,900 kilograms of suspected ammonium nitrate, an explosive chemical, along with an assault rifle and a significant cache of weapons.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced that the Lal Quila Metro Station will remain closed on Wednesday, November 12. This decision has been taken as a precautionary measure amid heightened security concerns. The DMRC clarified that all other metro stations will function as usual across the network.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident and offered heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. In her message, she assured that the Delhi government stands firmly with every affected family during this difficult time. She announced that ₹10 lakh will be given to the families of those who lost their lives, ₹5 lakh to individuals left permanently disabled, and ₹2 lakh to those seriously injured. Emphasizing the government’s commitment, she said that ensuring Delhi’s peace and security remains the top priority, and the administration is working tirelessly to support all victims and their families.

The car explosion on November 10 that took place in Delhi's Red Fort area is now being termed a "premature" bomb blast by officials. It appears to have been a hastily executed act rather than a fully planned, deliberate suicide attack, as the car is suspected to have contained an incomplete IED Improvised Explosive Device). The suspected bomber reportedly has links to the recently busted Faridabad module, from which 2,900 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate was seized. The arrest of the alleged accomplices and the seizure of the explosives are believed to have led to the rushed explosion.

Security has been tightened in and around Delhi, with additional police patrols deployed and continuous sweeps being conducted using metal detectors. Authorities have also ordered the Lal Quila (Red Fort) Metro station to remain closed as a precautionary measure while the investigation continues. The probe is still underway, with specialized teams following leads to get to the bottom of the incident.

The Red Fort explosion that shook the capital on 10th November 2025 was captured by CCTV footage, recording the exact chilling moment of the incident. The video shows a white Hyundai i20 moving slowly near the traffic signal outside Gate 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station around 6:50 pm. The car bursts into a massive fireball, lighting up the street and creating havoc and panic among people.

Officials say the footage will be an important clue in tracing the car's route, identifying possible accomplices, and establishing the timeline of events that led to the explosion. The car was first seen circling Connaught Place before entering the Red Fort area.

After concluding his two-day Bhutan visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 12th November 2025, visited the injured victims of the Red Fort blast at Delhi's LNJP Hospital. He spoke to the patients, went to their beds, and assured them of medical support and justice. He also asked the doctors for a brief on the condition of the injured. He assured that those involved would not be spared and that Indian agencies would get to the bottom of the conspiracy. He said, "I understand the grief of the affected families. Today, the entire nation stands with them."

Delhi Police have issued a high alert across all police stations, checkpoints, and borders to trace a red Ford EcoSport car, suspected to be linked to the Red Fort blast. As per new leads, security agencies believe that the car may have been used as a secondary transport vehicle by an accomplice to escape after the blast. Five dedicated teams of Delhi officials have also been deployed to track the vehicle's movements through CCTV footage and highway surveillance.

The alert has also been extended to the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Police to remain vigilant at the inter-state borders and assist in the search. As the manhunt continues, several checking drives and roadblocks have been set up across Delhi-NCR.

Investigators believe the Delhi blast at Red Fort was not an isolated incident but part of a planned series of multiple blasts across the city. Various locations were targeted, and the matter is currently under investigation. It appears to be part of a wider plot, as a red Ford EcoSport that was being traced yesterday was also suspected to be linked to the blast. The car was seized in Faridabad after police conducted a thorough search across Delhi and the bordering states, alerting authorities and check posts.

The government officially declared the incident “a terrorist act carried out by anti-national forces” on Wednesday, 12th November 2025. The NIA and forensic teams are conducting their investigation to piece together the evidence and uncover the roots of the module behind the planned coordinated blasts.

The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has praised the way India handled the Red Fort blast, calling it “measured, professional, and reflective of a mature democracy confronting terror with restraint.” Rubio condemned the explosion in an official statement from Washington, denouncing it as “a clear act of terrorism targeting innocent civilians.” He also lauded India’s preparedness and responsibility in the face of provocation, highlighting the swift coordination between the Centre and state agencies.

He further added that the U.S. stands ready to cooperate with India in fighting against extremism through intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism efforts as the investigation continues.

The suspects of the Red Fort blast reportedly raised over ₹26 lakh to buy high-grade fertilisers and components used for assembling IEDs for bomb-making. It was a well-coordinated plan, worked on over several weeks to pool money through informal networks. Investigators are now following the financial leads to trace the funding of the operation.

Security has also been strengthened along the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway in an attempt to trace militants who often use this key route. Additional checkpoints and roadblocks, along with armed patrols, have been set up to prevent any possible movement of explosives or suspects linked to the blast.

The investigation has led officials to an encrypted messaging platform, Threema, which was used to secretly communicate and coordinate plans. The private server is known for its high privacy settings, and the suspects used coded messages to share maps, targets, and details for assembling explosive materials. They did so to avoid detection by intelligence agencies.

Amid the ongoing investigations and chaos, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged people to avoid seeing every Kashmiri Muslim as a terrorist or stereotyping an entire community over the actions of a few. He said, “Not everyone is with the terrorists. There are some who disturb the peace, but innocent people should not be punished.” His statement serves as a reminder to maintain compassion and composure in the face of fear and anger as the nation grapples with the aftermath of the attack.

Kashmir saw the demolition of the Pulwama home of the prime suspect behind the Red Fort blast, Dr. Umar Nabi, on Thursday night, 13th November 2025. He was the one who drove the explosive-laden car that blew up the area near the Red Fort, killing more than a dozen people and injuring over 30.

The two-storey family building was reduced to dust with the help of controlled explosives by the security personnel. The structure was cleared out within minutes as a reaction to Umar's radical actions. Once an academically accomplished professional in his circle, he has now turned into a radical involved in one of the deadliest attacks in Delhi.

The people detained in the Red Fort blast have left their family members and acquaintances in a state of dilemma. Dr. Umar Nabi’s sister-in-law described him as a quiet and studious young man who showed no signs of radicalism. He even called home a few days before the blast, saying that he would be back soon and was preparing for exams. Now, the family is confused with the news that came back instead of Umar Nabi.

In another thread of investigation, a doctor named Mohammad Arif was detained for having links with the recent blast. His flatmate, Dr. Abhishek, also came under the radar for questioning. He said that there was no shift in behaviour or anything unusual in Arif even after the blast, suggesting that he seemed entirely normal. It only shows that the unfolding probes from two different corners have similar outcomes, as the people surrounding them did not notice any signs of the unlawful scenario brewing behind the scenes.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah cautioned against the growing trend of demolishing homes in the name of anti-terror operations. Abdullah said that such demolition would not curb terrorism but instead deepen resentment, leading to more such incidents, as he spoke during an inauguration ceremony on the outskirts of Jammu. He noted that during his six-year tenure as chief minister, there was a consistent decline in militancy without the administration ever resorting to destroying civilian properties.

Meanwhile, the National Medical Council (NMC) has cancelled the registrations of all four doctors linked to the Red Fort car blast. The move came after increased scrutiny over their alleged involvement in the high-profile case. The doctors involved were Dr. Umar Mohammad Nabi, Dr. Muzammil Shakeel, Dr. Shaheen Saeed, and Dr. Adeel Ahmad Rather, who are currently being investigated by the security forces.

In a turn of events, three cartridges have been found at the Red Fort blast site. They were of 9mm, and out of the three, two were live while one was empty. However, such calibre cartridges are prohibited for possession by any civilian and are restricted to security forces or individuals with special permissions. So, their being found at the site has raised questions about their sourcing.

The shocking part is that no weapons have been found at the place, raising questions about the presence of the ammunition there. Now, officers are tracking the source of the cartridges to get to the bottom of the blast near the Red Fort.

The Red Fort blast investigation has led to the arrest of Amir Rashid Ali, a resident of Samboora in Kashmir's Pampore area. Reports suggest that the i20 car used in the explosion was delivered by Ali from Kashmir to Delhi, handing over the car to the suicide bomber Umar Nabi. He allegedly knew about the blast and acted as an aide to Umar.

The NIA has also confirmed that the car was converted into a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device and was used in the blast on 10 November 2025. The NIA has now widened its probe to Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, along with Delhi, to unveil the conspiracy behind the attack, if any. The arrest marks a crucial step towards discovering the chain of events that led to such a terror attack across the nation.

The arrest of a resident of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, named Jasir Bilal Wani was announced by the NIA as per their press release on Monday, 17th November 2025. The arrest uncovered quite a lot of things, as the accused was allegedly providing technical support for carrying out terror attacks, making him a key conspirator in the Red Fort blast. He was even working on drones and rockets prior to the blast, pointing towards a possible terror attack that would have involved these, making it more deadly.

The death toll of the blast has now risen from 13 to 15, as two other injured victims succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at the hospital.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has widened its investigation into the Red Fort blast. It is now conducting several coordinated raids at various locations in Delhi, including the Okhla office of Al-Falah University, on 18th November 2025. They are acting under the PMLA, aiming to trace the financial links of the terror attack through the university and related shell companies. The persons and offices connected to the university are all under the ED's scrutiny. A raid has also been conducted at the house of the younger brother of the vice-chancellor of the university.

There are suspicions of the university serving as a base for the 'white-collar' terror module, as the key suspect Dr. Umar Nabi was associated with Al-Falah University. They are now investigating the financial infrastructure that fueled the terror nexus. Security has been tightened in public and crowded areas of the capital.

A video has surfaced online of the prime suspect in the Red Fort blast, which he recorded himself. He was seen speaking in fluent, accented English in the video as he defended his suicide bombing. He called the attack a 'martyrdom operation' and urged people not to label it as 'suicide bombing'. He argued that true martyrdom refers to knowing the specific place and time of death that one believes is their destiny, calling the concept misunderstood. He even added that one should not fear death, viewing it as a form of spiritual duty.

The video shows him speaking in a composed manner, explaining his views, which contrasts with the brutality of his act. The footage highlights a calculated extremist ideology and a radical worldview.

Al-Falah University founder Ahmed Siddiqui has been sent to 13 days of ED custody by a Delhi court. The legal step has been taken with reference to the ongoing investigation into the money-laundering case linked to the recent Red Fort terror attack. The order was passed at around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, 19th November 2025, by Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan of the Saket Court.

ED arrested Ahmed Siddiqui the previous day under allegations of money laundering, as recent ED raids on the university offices found cash, electronic devices, documents, and several shell companies. There are suspicions that this money was used as funding for the Red Fort blast case.

A video is making the rounds which shows former “Prime Minister” of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Anwarul Haq, speaking about Islamabad-linked groups being behind the Red Fort Blast in an Assembly speech. He declared, “If you keep bleeding Balochistan, we will hit India from the Red Fort to the forests of Kashmir.” The speech seems to be pointing towards the two terror attacks against India — the Pahalgam attack that happened earlier in April and the Red Fort suicide car bomb attack in Delhi.