A day before the devastating Red Fort car blast, CCTV footage has unveiled the unnervingly calm movements of Dr. Umar Nabi, the prime suspect behind the attack that killed 13 people and injured over 20. The investigation, now led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), paints a chilling picture of a man meticulously planning a terror strike under the guise of an ordinary drive.
According to the footage, Umar began his journey from Faridabad early Monday morning, entering Delhi through the Badarpur toll plaza at around 8:13 a.m. He reportedly spent the previous night inside his car, parked at a roadside eatery, before moving toward the capital.
Throughout the day, Umar drove across multiple districts of Delhi — Southeast, East, Central, and Northwest — in a zigzag pattern, deliberately avoiding major roads. He stopped for food, performed prayers at a mosque near Asaf Ali Road, and even lingered for hours, showing no signs of haste or nervousness.
CCTV footage shows his white Hyundai i20 entering the Red Fort area around 3:19 p.m., parking near Sunehri Masjid. Hours later, the vehicle exploded near the Red Fort Metro station, leaving behind a scene of chaos and destruction.
Investigators suspect Umar’s calm demeanor and erratic routes were part of a carefully crafted plan to evade detection. Forensic teams are now examining DNA evidence, GPS data, and toll records to trace possible accomplices and uncover a wider terror network.
Authorities believe the blast was part of a larger conspiracy, with reports suggesting the use of multiple vehicles prepared for similar attacks across Delhi. The incident, one of the most serious terror strikes in recent years, has sparked nationwide concern over urban security lapses and raised alarm about the growing sophistication of extremist plots.
Security has since been tightened across the capital, with heightened vigilance around all major public landmarks — especially the Red Fort, a symbol of India’s heritage and independence.
