New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has achieved a significant breakthrough in the investigation of the car bomb explosion near the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi. Authorities confirmed the first arrest in connection with the November 10 blast, detaining Amir Rashid Ali, a close aide of Umar Nabi, the alleged mastermind and driver of the vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) that shook the national capital.
Ali, a resident of Samboora in Pampore, Jammu & Kashmir, is reported to have played a critical role in procuring the Hyundai i20 used in the attack. Investigators say that Ali’s involvement was central to establishing the logistical chain of the operation, connecting Nabi with the resources and planning needed to execute the bombing. The vehicle, reportedly registered in Ali’s name, has become a key piece of evidence in the unfolding probe.
Umar Nabi, identified as an Assistant Professor in the General Medicine Department at Al Falah University in Faridabad, has been under investigation for his alleged role in orchestrating the blast. The NIA revealed that Nabi’s professional background masked his involvement in terror planning, making the case particularly complex. Ali reportedly travelled to Delhi to assist Nabi in acquiring the vehicle and facilitating operational logistics.
The NIA has already interviewed over 70 witnesses, including victims and bystanders injured in the blast, to reconstruct the events of that day. Forensic examinations of the Hyundai i20 and another vehicle seized from Nabi are underway, aimed at tracing explosives residue, verifying fingerprints, and mapping communication links that may uncover further conspirators.
Authorities emphasize the multi state dimension of the investigation. Teams from Delhi Police, Jammu & Kashmir Police, Haryana Police, and Uttar Pradesh Police are working alongside the NIA to track potential accomplices, both within India and possibly abroad. Officials note that the cross regional network highlights the sophisticated planning behind the attack, which exploited both professional cover and local resources.
The Red Fort Metro blast left at least 12 people dead and many more injured, sending shockwaves across the capital. The NIA’s arrest of Ali marks the first tangible progress in the investigation and is expected to provide critical intelligence on the wider conspiracy. Officials stressed that mapping the supply chain for vehicles, funding channels, and communication networks will be central to preventing future incidents.
Security analysts point out that the involvement of a university professor and a Kashmir based associate reflects a troubling evolution in terror tactics using unsuspecting professionals and regional networks to execute operations in major urban centers. The case underscores the importance of stringent surveillance, intelligence sharing, and coordination among state and central agencies.
As the investigation continues, the NIA plans to interrogate Ali thoroughly to identify additional suspects, trace financial support, and uncover any operational instructions that could lead to the arrest of other members of the network. The agency has vowed to act swiftly to dismantle the terror infrastructure exposed by the Red Fort blast.