RNS: In a major breakthrough in the Red Fort blast case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Amir Rashid Ali, a close associate of suicide bomber Dr. Umar Nabi, for helping arrange the Hyundai i20 used in the deadly November 10 explosion that killed at least 10 people and injured many others near the Red Fort Metro Station.
Amir, a resident of Samboora, Pampore, was detained in Delhi after an intensive hunt. Investigators confirmed the blast vehicle was registered in his name and that he had travelled to the capital to help acquire the car later packed with explosives.
Forensic tests have identified the charred body inside the vehicle as Dr. Umar Un Nabi, an Assistant Professor at Al-Falah University and a Pulwama resident. Another vehicle owned by him has also been seized for examination. Raids were carried out at Amir’s home, while his brother is currently in J&K Police custody. To date, 73 witnesses—including blast survivors—have been questioned.
Delhi 10/11 Blast#BREAKING | NIA makes first in blast case
– Suicide bomber’s aide Amir arrested
– Car owner Amir Ali held
NIA: 73 witnesses examined so far@bhavatoshsingh shares more details with @Swatij14. pic.twitter.com/oIj0XlDsZ5
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) November 16, 2025
Module’s Hunt for a Suicide Bomber Exposed
Investigators have uncovered chilling details showing that the hunt for a suicide attacker was personally driven by Dr. Umar Nabi, considered the mastermind of the module. Based on interrogation of co-accused individuals, Nabi—believed to have died in the i20 blast—was described as a “hardcore radical” who insisted that their operations must involve a suicide bomber.
Acting on these disclosures, Srinagar Police detained Jasir, alias ‘Danish’, a political science graduate from Qazigund. His name surfaced during questioning of other arrested doctors, including Dr Adeel Rather and Dr Muzzaffar Ganaie. Jasir told investigators that he first met the doctor module in October last year at a mosque in Kulgam and was later taken to a rented accommodation linked to Al Falah University in Faridabad.
Jasir revealed that while some members pushed him to work as an over-ground helper for Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Umar repeatedly pressured him for months to become a suicide bomber. The plan collapsed in April when Jasir refused due to financial hardship and his religious objection to suicide. Investigators say this desperate search for a human bomb adds a dangerous dimension to the unravelling JeM-linked interstate terror network.
Turkey Trip, Radicalisation & December Plot
According to officials, the 28-year-old Umar Nabi had been preparing a major vehicle-borne IED strike around the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary in December. His radicalisation reportedly deepened after a 2021 trip to Turkey with co-accused Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, where the duo allegedly met JeM over-ground workers.
After returning, the two—linked to Al Falah University—procured large quantities of chemicals, including 360 kg of ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulfur, much of it stored near the university campus. Their December plan was thwarted when Ganaie was arrested and explosives seized. Officials believe this setback may have triggered the premature Red Fort bombing that also killed Umar.
The NIA says it is working with Delhi Police, J&K Police, Haryana Police, UP Police and central agencies to expose the larger conspiracy. Terming Amir’s arrest a major step forward, the agency said he had “actively conspired” with Umar in executing the deadly attack.
