Red Fort blast: NIA chargesheet names Umer Un Nabi as alleged mastermind of terror conspiracy

On 9 September 2026, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet in the case of the November 2025 Red Fort car blast in New Delhi. The document names Umer Un Nabi, who was killed in the explosion, as the alleged mastermind and operational in‑charge of a revived terror module linked to Ansar Ghazwat‑ul‑Hind (AGuH).

The chargesheet alleges that Nabi, also known by the aliases Pinda and Rahul Bhat, had been working since early 2022 to revive the dormant AGuH module and build a network of radicalised individuals for carrying out terrorist activities against the Indian state. According to the NIA, Nabi was the “operational in‑charge” of AGuH Interim, described in the investigation as a revived manifestation of Al‑Qaida in the Indian sub‑continent.

In the chargesheet, Nabi is accused of radicalising recruits, glorifying acts of “Shahadat” or martyrdom, arranging clandestine meetings, facilitating terror training, and managing the logistics required by the module. The document also refers to Nabi’s alleged plan to travel to Afghanistan for “Hijrat” amid his growing association with extremist ideology.

The NIA states that Nabi and other members of the module possessed and circulated extremist literature advocating armed struggle and violence. Documents examined during the investigation included titles such as “Definition of Jihad,” “The Requirements of Jihad,” “The 21 Aims and Objectives of Jihad,” “39 Ways to Serve and Participate in Jihad,” and “44 Ways to Support Jihad.” The literature allegedly sought to justify violent extremism and portrayed armed struggle as a religious obligation, while also providing instructions on operational secrecy, concealment, the use of false identities, and various forms of terrorist attacks.

According to the chargesheet, the accused maintained contact through encrypted messaging applications, including Signal. Nabi is alleged to have played a key role in arranging funds, procuring illegal weapons, and securing locations for members of the module and materials connected with the conspiracy. Meetings were reportedly held in Jammu and Kashmir and the Delhi‑NCR region, where members were trained and preparations were made for terrorist activities.

The investigation recovered chemicals and laboratory equipment. Forensic examination of post‑blast material detected traces of tri‑acetone phosphate (TATP) and ammonium nitrate, indicating preparations for manufacturing and storing explosive substances. The vehicle that exploded near the Red Fort on 10 November 2025 was described by the NIA as a vehicle‑borne improvised explosive device (VBIED). Nabi was inside the vehicle when it detonated, and DNA examination of biological material recovered from the blast site confirmed his identity.

The blast occurred at approximately 6:50 pm near the Red Fort on 10 November 2025, killing eleven people and injuring 29 others. The explosion also caused extensive damage to surrounding property and vehicles.

Because Nabi died in the explosion, proceedings against him have been abated. However, the chargesheet sets out the investigating agency’s allegations regarding his role in the alleged conspiracy. The allegations in the chargesheet are subject to trial and judicial scrutiny.

Article and image source: afghanistansun.com