New Delhi: The Delhi Police has issued a city-wide alert across all police stations, posts, and border checkpoints to trace a red Ford EcoSport car suspected to be linked to the Red Fort blast, which claimed nine lives earlier this week. According to police sources, the vehicle is believed to have been used by Dr Umar Un Nabi, a key suspect in the case and an alleged member of a terror module operating out of Faridabad.
Massive search operation launched
At least five police teams have been deployed across Delhi to locate the missing vehicle, with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana Police also placed on high alert to assist in the search. The registration details of the red Ford EcoSport have been circulated to all border units, toll plazas, and inter-state checkpoints.
Sources told NDTV that the car is registered in the name of Dr Umar Un Nabi, who worked as a medical professional at Al-Falah Medical College in Haryana’s Faridabad. Dr Umar was also allegedly driving the Hyundai i20 that exploded near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, resulting in multiple casualties and extensive damage to nearby vehicles.
Car used for reconnaissance activities
Investigators believe the EcoSport may have been used for reconnaissance operations around key sites in the capital prior to the explosion. Early findings suggest that the car was purchased using a fake address listed in North-East Delhi, prompting the police to conduct a late-night raid at the mentioned location.
The car’s connection to the terror network was uncovered after investigators found that other suspects in the blast case had also used multiple vehicles for transport and surveillance, suggesting a larger, coordinated plot.
Links to terror module in Faridabad
Security agencies have identified Dr Umar as part of an inter-state terror module with possible links to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and other extremist outfits. Operations conducted since October 19 in Kashmir and Faridabad have revealed that Dr Umar had frequently changed his residence to evade tracking by the authorities.
The discovery of 2,900 kg of explosives, timers, and assault rifles from properties associated with the group has heightened concerns of a broader terror network spanning multiple states.
Al-Falah University distances itself
In response to the controversy, Al-Falah University issued an official statement clarifying that it has no association with the alleged activities of the arrested doctors. The institution described itself as a “responsible educational establishment” committed to peace and national integrity.
“We want to make it loud and clear that as a responsible institution, we stand in solidarity with the nation and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to unity, peace, and security,” the university said.
The statement added that the university is fully cooperating with investigating agencies to ensure a fair and transparent inquiry. Founded in 1997, the Al-Falah Group became an autonomous university in 2014 and currently operates several professional institutions.
Heightened vigilance in the capital
Police sources confirmed that checkpoints at Delhi’s borders with Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Sonipat have been reinforced with additional personnel and vehicle scanners. Authorities have appealed to the public to report any sighting of the red EcoSport immediately.
The Red Fort blast, which has been described as the most serious security incident in Delhi since the 2022 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people, has prompted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the probe.
The NIA and Delhi Police’s Special Cell are now jointly investigating whether the same explosive materials found in the Hyundai i20 were also used or stored in the EcoSport.
As the search intensifies, officials believe tracking down the red Ford EcoSport could provide crucial leads to uncovering the remaining members of the terror network and preventing further attacks.