The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday disclosed critical details about the November 2025 car bomb attack near Delhi's historic Red Fort, identifying Umar Nabi — also known as Pinḍā — as the mastermind behind the devastating explosion. In its charge sheet, the agency revealed that Nabi was personally driving the vehicle packed with explosives when it detonated on the evening of November 10, 2025, around 6:50 PM in the busy area close to the iconic monument. He died instantly in the blast along with at least ten others.
According to the NIA's investigation, Umar Nabi and another accused, Rahul Bhatt, had been attempting since early 2022 to reactivate a dormant module of the terror outfit Ansar Gazi-ul-Hind (AGuH). The agency described this reactivated module as a new incarnation of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), which had been designated as a banned organization under India's Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The group had reportedly gone inactive but was being rebuilt through covert efforts by the accused.
The car bombing near the Red Fort, one of Delhi's most visited tourist landmarks, sent shockwaves across the national capital and triggered a major counter-terrorism operation. Over 11 people were killed in the attack, and many more were injured. The NIA has been conducting extensive interrogations and forensic analysis to trace the full network involved in planning and executing the attack.
Authorities have yet to confirm whether additional accused individuals remain at large or if they are in custody. The agency is also investigating links between the revived AGuH module and other terror networks operating in the region.
