New Delhi: In a major breakthrough in the Red Fort car blast investigation, exclusive CCTV footage accessed by India Today has provided the clearest visual confirmation yet of the alleged bomber, Dr Umar Nabi. The footage, retrieved from a mobile repair shop in Faridabad, captures Umar during his escape and, for the first time, offers an unobstructed look at his face, his movements, and his behaviour in the moments before he disappeared from public view.

The blast, which occurred near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday, killed 13 people and injured more than 20, triggering one of the biggest multi-agency counter-terror operations in recent years.

CCTV shows Umar at mobile shop

The CCTV footage, timestamped within hours of the explosion, shows Dr Umar entering the small Faridabad phone shop carrying a shoulder bag and two mobile phones. He appears visibly tense, his eyes darting around the shop while he speaks briefly with the shopkeeper.

The video shows him taking a device out of his bag and handing it to the shopkeeper for charging while keeping another phone on his lap. His restless body language — repeatedly adjusting his bag straps and scanning the door — has been noted by investigators.

However, authorities have confirmed that no mobile phones were recovered near his body at the blast site. Officials now believe Umar may have abandoned or destroyed the devices shortly after leaving the shop.

Identity confirmed through DNA

Hours after the explosion, police found Umar’s severely damaged remains near the wreckage of the Hyundai i20 he was driving. His identity was officially confirmed through DNA samples taken from the site and matched with those of his mother.

According to investigators, Umar was not acting alone. He had reportedly been in touch with two other Jammu and Kashmir–based doctors, both arrested earlier this week, who were linked to the recently busted Faridabad terror module.

Links to explosive consignment

That module had previously drawn national attention after authorities seized 2,900 kg of explosive material, signalling a large-scale plot in preparation. Officials now believe that the Red Fort blast was part of a broader coordinated operation involving at least eight individuals.

Sources told PTI that the accused were preparing to split into four pairs and execute synchronised explosions in multiple Indian cities. The Red Fort incident may have been triggered prematurely or mishandled, given the nature of injuries found on Umar’s body.

Radicalisation over two years

Investigators noted that Umar, a doctor once known for his academic promise, appears to have undergone a dramatic ideological shift over the past two years. Officials say he joined multiple radical messaging groups and began distancing himself from his community and family.

He allegedly collaborated closely with two associates — Dr Muzammil and Dr Shaheen — using the Swiss encrypted messaging platform Threema, known for its anonymity features. He also created a private Signal group exclusively for operational planning.

Financing and procurement of explosives

Police have traced more than ₹26 lakh collected by the group, much of which was handed over to Umar to execute the operation. According to investigators, this money was used to buy nearly 26 quintals of NPK fertiliser from suppliers in Gurugram, Nuh, and nearby districts.

NPK fertiliser, when mixed with certain chemicals, forms a potent component of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Officers said the group had experimented with compounds over the past few months, using remote locations in Haryana for dry runs.

Multiple arrests after the blast

Following the Red Fort explosion, Jammu and Kashmir Police conducted overnight raids across Srinagar, Pulwama, and Anantnag. Six individuals, including three members of Umar’s immediate family, were detained for questioning. Officials say these arrests have yielded crucial leads regarding the financial trail, communication patterns, and recruitment methods.

Counter-terror units continue to coordinate with Delhi Police, NIA, J&K Police, and central agencies to piece together the full timeline and uncover whether more operatives remain at large.

Investigation widens

Meanwhile, the newly surfaced CCTV footage is being analysed frame-by-frame by forensic video experts. Investigators are attempting to determine:

  • Whether Umar was in touch with handlers during his visit to the mobile shop
  • Whether the second device he carried was used for encrypted communication
  • Whether he met anyone else nearby before or after the shop visit
  • Why neither device was found at the blast site

Officials believe the CCTV evidence could help reconstruct Umar’s movements in the critical hours leading up to the explosion and may identify additional suspects who facilitated his escape.

Conclusion

The emergence of the Faridabad CCTV footage marks a significant step forward in the Red Fort blast probe, giving authorities a definitive visual confirmation of Dr Umar’s activities while on the run. With multiple arrests, growing clarity on radicalisation patterns, and increasing digital evidence, investigators say they are closing in on the broader network behind the deadly attack. The probe continues to expand as agencies work to prevent any further coordinated strikes.