New Delhi – Investigators probing the devastating Red Fort car explosion have uncovered disturbing evidence that sheds new light on the mindset of the perpetrator. A video featuring Dr Umar Nabi, the suicide bomber responsible for the attack, has been recovered, showing him defending and promoting the concept of suicide attacks in what security experts describe as potential radicalization propaganda.
Discovery of the Critical Evidence
The Red Fort bomber video, lasting one minute and 20 seconds, was retrieved from a mobile phone found in a water body near Nabi’s residence in Koil, Pulwama. According to officials familiar with the investigation, the video was recorded in April, months before the tragic attack that claimed at least 12 lives on November 10.
In the footage, Nabi appears alone in a room, speaking in English about suicide bombing and drawing parallels between the terrorist act and the concept of “martyrdom.” The recovery of this Red Fort bomber video has become a crucial piece of evidence in understanding the planning and ideological motivations behind the attack.
The Phone’s Journey and Recovery
The circumstances surrounding the phone’s disposal reveal careful planning on Nabi’s part. During his last visit to his family in Koil between September and October, Nabi handed the mobile device to his brother, Zahoor Ilahi, with specific instructions to dispose of it if he “ever heard news” about him. This cryptic instruction suggests premeditation and awareness of his planned actions.
After Zahoor’s detention, he informed investigators about the phone’s location. Forensic experts successfully retrieved the Red Fort bomber video and other data from the damaged device, despite its submersion in water. The recovery represents a significant breakthrough in understanding the terror network’s operations and motivations.
Identity Confirmation and Investigation Progress
The National Investigation Agency confirmed that Dr Umar Nabi, a medical professional associated with Al Falah University in Faridabad, was indeed the suicide bomber who orchestrated the vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack. His identity was conclusively established through DNA matching with samples collected from his mother.
At the time of the blast, investigators believe Nabi was using at least two mobile phones, and authorities are working to determine the total number of phones or SIM cards in his possession. This aspect of the investigation aims to uncover his communication networks and potential collaborators.
The White-Collar Terror Network
Investigators describe Nabi as the most radical member of what they term a “white-collar” terror module. The Red Fort bomber video supports this assessment, demonstrating his commitment to extremist ideology. Three doctors have been arrested in connection with the case: Dr Muzammil Ganaie, Dr Shaheen Shahid, and Dr Adeel Rather.
Another doctor, Dr Muzzaffar, Rather’s brother and a suspected network member, is believed to have fled to Afghanistan. Authorities are also searching for Dr Nissar ul-Hassan, who worked alongside Nabi and others at Al Falah University. The investigation has expanded to include questioning of several other medical professionals.
Parallels to Previous Attacks
The Delhi Police Special Cell is investigating whether this group attempted to replicate the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, which killed 39 Central Reserve Police Force personnel. In that attack, suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar also created a similar video before carrying out his mission, suggesting a deliberate pattern in these operations.
Former Jammu and Kashmir police chief SP Vaid emphasized the dangerous nature of such propaganda. “These videos are used to brainwash vulnerable young people,” Vaid explained, noting that external forces exploit geographical vulnerabilities to radicalize individuals. The involvement of educated professionals like doctors makes the situation particularly alarming.
Radicalization Concerns and Religious Justification
Security experts analyzing the Red Fort bomber video suggest Nabi may have created it to provide religious justification for suicide bombing, which is forbidden in Islam. By equating the act with martyrdom, investigators theorize he aimed to encourage others to follow his path and normalize such attacks among potential recruits.
Retired IPS officer Ashok Chand, former chief of Delhi Police’s special cell, stressed that while terrorist videos are not unprecedented, preparations for suicide bombings in metropolitan areas demand heightened vigilance and intelligence gathering at all levels.
Ongoing Investigation
The probe continues to expand across multiple states as investigators work to dismantle the entire terror network. The Red Fort bomber video remains central to understanding the group’s ideology, recruitment methods, and future threat potential. Authorities emphasize the critical importance of community engagement and early intervention amid Red Fort bomber video to prevent vulnerable individuals from falling prey to such radicalization efforts.
The Red Fort bomber video underscores the evolving nature of terrorism in India, where educated professionals are being drawn into extremist networks, posing unprecedented challenges for security agencies nationwide.
