Delhi blast: Security forces demolish key suspect’s house in Kashmir
Security forces used a controlled explosion to destroy Umar’s house during an overnight operation.
Security forces used a controlled explosion to destroy Umar’s house during an overnight operation.
Security forces used a controlled explosion to destroy Umar’s house during an overnight operation.
New Delhi: Amid the NIA probe into the Delhi blast that claimed 13 lives, security forces have demolished the house of Dr Umar Mohammed in Pulwama, Kashmir. According to Delhi Police, Umar was behind the wheel of the car involved in the blast near Delhi’s iconic Red Fort on November 10. His identity was confirmed after DNA samples recovered from the site matched those collected from his mother.
IANS reported that security forces used a controlled explosion to destroy Umar’s house during an overnight operation. The action comes amid a high alert and an intensified crackdown on terror modules linked to the Red Fort blast.
New CCTV footage has also emerged showing Dr Umar Mohammed driving an i20 car in Connaught Place, the heart of Delhi, nearly five hours before heading toward the Red Fort area, where the blast ultimately occurred. According to police sources, Umar was seen driving the explosive-laden vehicle around the Outer Circle of Connaught Place at approximately 2.05 p.m. He then moved toward Mayur Vihar and subsequently proceeded to the Red Fort vicinity.
Investigative agencies on Thursday found another vehicle—a Maruti Brezza—that had initially gone missing. Officials are also examining why the terror module was using multiple cars. The i20 exploded near the Red Fort, while an EcoSport belonging to Dr Umar Mohammed was recovered in Faridabad.
Sources have indicated that the module had been planning a series of car bombings, but their plans were exposed before further attacks could be carried out.
The powerful explosion occurred at around 6.52 pm on November 10, sending shockwaves across the national capital and triggering an immediate security response. The blast struck close to one of India’s most iconic heritage sites, raising serious concerns about a breach in the high-security zone surrounding the Red Fort.
Following the incident, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) formally took over the probe from the Delhi Police Special Cell. NIA officials cordoned off the area and conducted detailed forensic examinations of the debris— including explosive residues, vehicle fragments, and digital evidence— to trace the network behind the attack.
On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, directed that the incident be investigated with the “utmost urgency” to swiftly identify and bring all “perpetrators” and “sponsors” to justice. The Cabinet observed two minutes of silence in honour of the victims and described the November 10 blast as “a heinous terror incident perpetrated by anti-national forces.”
Additionally, on Thursday, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) suspended the membership of Al-Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana, with immediate effect.
The demolition of Umar's house in Kashmir is seen as an effort to send a strong message to those supporting terrorist activities. Earlier, similar action had been taken against individuals involved in the Pahalgam terror attack case.