Red Fort Blast Plot: Umar Nabi Planned December 6 Attack on Babri Masjid Demolition Anniversary, Say Officials

The deadly explosion near Delhi's Red Fort that killed 12 people was allegedly part of a larger terror plot intended for December 6, the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition.

Investigators now believe the man behind the wheel, Dr Umar Nabi from Pulwama, had planned the strike for that symbolic date but died in a premature blast on November 10.

The Mastermind and the Failed Plot

Officials identified 28-year-old Dr Umar Nabi, a Pulwama-based physician, as the key figure in a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror module operating across Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The plan began to unravel when Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, also known as Musaib, was arrested from Al-Falah University in Faridabad. Police seized 360 kilograms of ammonium nitrate from his quarters, causing panic among the group.

Investigators said Umar had intended to carry out a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack on December 6. However, after the Faridabad Police busted a linked module and seized nearly 2,900 kilograms of explosives, Umar allegedly lost his nerve and triggered the blast prematurely before completing the device.

"Umar had told his friends during a recent visit to Kashmir that he would not be available for three months," an official said, suggesting that he planned to go underground after executing the attack.

Radicalisation and Terror Network

According to the investigation, Umar was an academically bright but isolated individual who became radicalised after a 2021 trip to Turkey with Ganaie. The two allegedly met Jaish operatives there and began assembling explosives upon returning to India. They reportedly stockpiled ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulphur at different locations around Al-Falah University in Faridabad.

Evidence from Ganaie's mobile phone showed that he had conducted multiple surveys of the Red Fort area earlier this year, possibly in preparation for a Republic Day attack that never took place. Officials also found Turkish immigration stamps on the passports of both Umar and Ganaie, indicating possible foreign links.

The Red Fort Blast and Aftermath

On November 10, a Hyundai i20 packed with explosives detonated near the Red Fort, killing 12 people and injuring several others. Following the explosion, police dismantled a major JeM-linked module and recovered over 2,500 kilograms of explosive substances including ammonium nitrate and potassium chlorate.

So far, eight people have been arrested in connection with the case, including Arif Nisar Dar, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, Maqsood Ahmad Dar, Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, Zameer Ahmad Ahanger, Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, Dr Adeel and Dr Shaheen Sayeed.

Forensic Findings and Broader Investigation

Forensic Science Laboratory teams collected 40 samples from the blast site and confirmed the use of ammonium nitrate as the primary explosive. Investigators also found live ammunition and traces of other explosive materials. Police detained a Faridabad-based car dealer and began verifying all recent second-hand vehicle sales after discovering that Umar owned another red Ford EcoSport.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police detained Maulvi Ishtiyaq, a preacher from Haryana's Mewat region who had been staying in rented quarters on the Al-Falah University campus. Authorities recovered over 2,500 kilograms of explosive material from his possession, and he is likely to become the ninth person arrested in the case.

Security has been tightened across Delhi, especially at metro stations, interstate borders and bus stands, as investigators continue to uncover the wider JeM network linked to the Red Fort blast.

Babri Masjid Demolition: Why December 6 Matters

Officials believe Umar Nabi chose December 6 as the target date for its symbolic significance. On December 6, 1992, the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished by a large crowd of kar sevaks, leading to one of the most violent communal riots in independent India. The event deeply polarised the nation and remains one of the most sensitive dates in India's modern history.

Investigators said Umar's choice of that date suggested an attempt to trigger unrest and evoke old communal tensions through a symbolic act of violence. The Red Fort plot, they said, was designed not just to cause destruction but to send a political and ideological message tied to the memories of December 6, 1992.