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New Delhi/Srinagar: In a crucial development in the Red Fort blast case, the DNA sample of the mother of Dr Umar Nabi, the man suspected to have been driving the Hyundai i20 that exploded near Red Fort on Monday evening, is being collected from Pulwama, South Kashmir, for forensic matching with unidentified bodies at Delhi’s Lok Nayak Hospital, official sources confirmed on Tuesday. The move is aimed at determining whether Nabi — a Pulwama-based doctor linked to the recently busted Faridabad terror module — was killed in the explosion or remains at large.
As the officials reveals that forensic teams are comparing the maternal DNA with biological samples retrieved from the blast site and the remains of an unclaimed body at the hospital. At Koil village in Pulwama, Nabi’s family and local officials confirmed that his mother had been taken away by police for sample collection. When reporters visited his home, only his sister-in-law was present. “We were told her DNA is being taken to match with the body found in Delhi,” a family acquaintance said, requesting anonymity.
Suspect Linked to Faridabad Module
Dr Umar Nabi hails from Koil village, also the hometown of Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganai, who was arrested earlier this week from Faridabad’s Dhauj village for alleged links to a white-collar interstate terror module. Police had seized 358 kg of ammonium nitrate from Ganai’s rented premises, part of a larger 2,900-kg consignment of explosive-making material unearthed by the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Both Nabi and Ganai were working at Al-Falah University’s School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre in Faridabad, Haryana, officials confirmed.
CCTV Footage and Forensic Leads
Delhi Police investigators suspect that Nabi was the person seen driving the i20 car in CCTV footage captured hours before the high-intensity explosion that killed 12 people and injured at least 20. The Special Cell of Delhi Police, along with NIA and NSG experts, has recovered traces of ammonium nitrate, fuel oil, and detonators from the site — the same combination found in the Faridabad seizures.
Investigators say DNA profiling is being used to establish whether Nabi perished in the blast or managed to escape. “If the DNA match is positive, it would confirm that the bomber died inside the vehicle. If not, the manhunt will intensify,” said an official.
Detentions in Pulwama
The J&K Police have detained at least five persons from different villages in Pulwama for questioning since Monday night, including Amir Rashid of Samboora village, the registered owner of the car. His brother and three other men from nearby areas have also been taken into custody. A senior officer said, “The detentions are purely for interrogation to trace the full chain of procurement, movement, and planning behind the attack.”
Wider Terror Network Suspected
Police believe the Red Fort blast may have been executed by the same “transnational and interstate module” operating out of Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, that was uncovered during the Faridabad raids. Meanwhile, Delhi remains on high alert. Security has been tightened at all major transport hubs, including railway stations, metro stations, and airport terminals, while investigators continue to examine electronic devices and communication data seized from the suspects.
