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DNA test confirms Dr Umar Nabi Bhat drove i20 that blew up near Red Fort

Delhi Red Fort Blast Today News Update: According to sources, DNA samples from Dr Umar Nabi Bhat’s mother were collected in Pulwama, and brought to Delhi to be matched with unidentified bodies kept at Lok Nayak Hospital.

Written by: Sakshi Chand, Ankita Upadhyay

3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Nov 13, 2025 10:32 AM IST

A DNA test has confirmed Red Fort blast suspect as Dr Umar Un Nabi.

Red Fort Blast Today Update: The DNA samples of Dr Umar Nabi Bhat, who allegedly drove the i20 car involved in the blast near Red Fort that claimed nine lives and left several injured Monday evening, have matched with those of his mother’s, sources said Thursday morning.

According to sources, DNA samples from Bhat’s mother were collected in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, and brought to Delhi to be matched with unidentified bodies kept at Lok Nayak Hospital.

Sources at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, said the DNA samples of Bhat and his mother were matched, and further details will be examined later.

Investigators rely on DNA profiling to identify suspects or victims when bodies are physically unrecognisable.

The police have said they suspect that Bhat was the leader of the “white-collar group” of doctors in a terror module busted days before the Red Fort blast Monday evening. “He is suspected to have been steering and motivating the rest of the flock,” an officer said.

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The Jammu and Kashmir Police said they had busted an “inter-state and transnational” terror module linked with terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH), and that they had arrested seven people hours before the Red Fort blast.

On Wednesday, the police in Haryana found a red Ford EcoSport, which they said belongs to Red Fort blast suspect Bhat, from a farmhouse in Haryana’s Khandawali village. Forensic and ballistic experts searched the vehicle after it was seized.

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According to sources, the property belongs to Bhat’s friend, who has also been detained, and is being questioned.

ALSO READ | ‘Umar often spoke of spectacular attack’: Probe widens into terror module

The SUV was used mainly by his colleague, Dr Muzamil Shakeel Ganai, another member of the alleged terror module who was arrested before the Red Fort blast.

Bhat, a resident of Koil village in Pulwama, was employed at the School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre at Al Falah University in Dhauj, Faridabad.

Two other doctors at the university, Dr Ganai, also from Koil, and Dr Shaheen Shahid Ansari from Lucknow, were picked up by police in the days before the blast.

Sakshi Chand

Sakshi Chand is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. With over a decade of experience in investigative journalism, she is a leading voice on crime, the prison system, and institutional governance in the National Capital. Professional Background Specialization: Her reporting focus includes high-stakes crime, national security, prison reforms, and traffic governance. Key Coverage: She has been on the frontlines of major events such as the 2G spectrum case, the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, and communal clashes across Uttar Pradesh (Kasganj, Aligarh). Earlier Career: Before joining The Indian Express, she was a reporter for The Times of India. Personal Interests: Outside of her career in journalism, Sakshi is a National-level basketball player and coach, bringing a unique sporting discipline to her professional life. Major Recent Coverage (Late 2025) Her reporting in the latter half of 2025 has been dominated by a major terror investigation and administrative accountability: 1. The Red Fort Blast Investigation Throughout November and December 2025, Sakshi led the coverage of a car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort: Forensic Breakthroughs: She reported on the use of TATP and ammonium nitrate in the IED and identified the shops where raw materials were sourced (Nov 14-16, 2025). The "i20 Route": She meticulously tracked the journey of the vehicle used in the blast, tracing it to a Pulwama-based resident who entered Delhi via the Badarpur toll plaza (Nov 12, 2025). Victim Support: She recently reported on the Delhi Police providing a list of damaged vehicle owners to the Finance Ministry to expedite insurance claims for those caught in the blast (Dec 4, 2025). 2. Crime & Police Accountability "Crackdown on Extortion Gangs": In December 2025, she reported on a syndicate that was blackmailing traffic cops. Following five arrests, the Special CP directed officers to report all such attempts (Dec 12, 2025). "Corruption in the Ranks": She covered the arrest of five Delhi Police personnel by the Vigilance branch following a wave of public complaints (May 19, 2025). Cold Cases & International Murders: She has extensively tracked the case of a man who allegedly killed his wife in London and fled to India, reporting on his "Proclaimed Offender" status and the denial of his anticipatory bail (May 2025). 3. Governance & Public Policy "13,000 Homes for 90,000 Cops": A data-driven feature on why the majority of Delhi Police personnel are forced to live on rent despite the city's housing projects (May 4, 2025). Traffic Decongestion: Using her interest in urban logistics, she detailed how the Traffic Police eased congestion on Vikas Marg by switching off signals and creating U-turns (April 2, 2025). Signature Style Sakshi Chand is known for a data-driven and investigative approach. She frequently uses forensic reports, CCTV analysis, and administrative data to go beyond the "official version" of a crime story. Her work in prison reporting is particularly noted for highlighting the legal and humanitarian conditions of foreign detention centers and local jails. ... Read More

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