Red Fort Suicide Blast Was Car-Borne IED Triggered by Attacker Umar, NIA Says in Chargesheet

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet in connection with the explosion near the historic Red Fort in Delhi, stating that the incident was a suicide bombing carried out by an individual identified as Umar, who activated an improvised explosive device (IED) from inside a car.

According to the chargesheet, Umar is believed to have approached the vicinity of the Red Fort — one of Delhi's most visited tourist landmarks and a symbol of India's Mughal heritage — in a vehicle fitted with explosives. The device was detonated manually by the attacker himself, confirming the probe agency's assertion that the blast was a calculated act of terrorism rather than an accidental explosion.

The NIA, which took over the investigation from local police, said its preliminary inquiry established links between Umar and a terror outfit. Investigators are reportedly tracing the origin of the IED materials and the network that facilitated his movement to the site. The chargesheet also outlines how Umar received training and instructions prior to carrying out the attack, though specific details about the outfit's involvement have been kept confidential to protect ongoing investigative techniques.

Delhi's Red Fort area witnesses heavy footfall, especially during weekends and tourist seasons, making it a potential target for radicalised individuals. Security around the fort complex had been tightened in recent months following intelligence inputs about possible terror plots in the national capital.

The chargesheet has been forwarded to a special NIA court for further legal proceedings. Umar, who was among those arrested in connection with the blast, now faces charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Indian Penal Code, and other relevant provisions. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment or the death penalty depending on the severity of the charges.

Authorities have not yet revealed the full extent of Umar's accomplices, if any, and the NIA is continuing its probe into the broader conspiracy. A press briefing by agency officials is expected in the coming days to provide more granular details about the modus operandi and the ideological motivation behind the attack.