Deadly Red Fort blast used over 2 kg ammonium nitrate; forensic probe reveals car bomber’s movements

Delhi Red Fort blast probe finds ammonium nitrate-based explosive; CCTV shows the bomber inside a parking zone for hours before the deadly detonation

PGurus Newsdesk

November 15, 2025

CCTV shows bomber waited 3 hours before Red Fort explosion

Forensic report uncovers explosive materials and bomber’s movements

More than 2 kg of ammonium nitrate was used in the powerful blast near Delhi’s Red Fort on November 10, forensic sources have revealed. The explosion, which killed 13 people and injured over 20, was carried out by Umar Nabi, the driver of the explosive-laden Hyundai i20.

Sources linked to the investigation said Umar, who was “an expert in making bombs”, likely prepared the explosive mixture using ammonium nitrate, petroleum and detonating materials. Over 52 samples collected from the site and the destroyed vehicle point towards a makeshift but highly potent device.

Investigators also found that such explosives can be assembled in just 5–10 minutes, intensifying questions about why Umar stayed for over three hours inside a nearby parking lot before driving out.

CCTV footage shows Umar entering the Red Fort parking zone at 3:19 pm and exiting at 6:28 pm, around half an hour before the blast. Initial findings suggest that he intended to detonate the car bomb inside the parking area, a busy tourist hub.

However, the plan changed after he reportedly panicked due to the arrest of his associates and the major explosives seizure in Faridabad earlier that day. He also appeared to have overlooked that Red Fort remains closed on Mondays, resulting in fewer people at the intended location.

Blast triggered at traffic signal

After abandoning his initial plan, Umar drove along Netaji Subhash Marg, which runs parallel to the Red Fort and leads towards Chandni Chowk. At a traffic signal near Red Fort Metro Station, the car exploded, killing 13 people and damaging several nearby vehicles.
Umar, a doctor associated with Al Falah University in Faridabad, is believed to have acted alone in the final moments, though his broader network remains under investigation.

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