Three Kashmiri Doctors Under Probe for Red Fort Blast That Killed Nine

In a major development in the Red Fort blast case, three Kashmiri doctors — Adeel Ahmad Rather, Muzammil Shakeel, and Umar Mohammed — are under investigation for their alleged involvement in the deadly explosion that killed nine people and injured more than 20 on Monday evening.

According to security agencies, the arrests of Adeel Ahmad Rather from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and Muzammil Shakeel from Faridabad, Haryana, led to the recovery of nearly 2,900 kg of bomb-making material, suspected to be ammonium nitrate — the same chemical used in the Red Fort car blast.

The Blast Near Red Fort

Around 6:52 PM, a white Hyundai i20 car exploded at a traffic signal near Netaji Subhash Marg, between Red Fort and Chandni Chowk. Eyewitnesses reported a “huge fireball,” and several vehicles were engulfed in flames. Firefighters took nearly 30 minutes to control the blaze, as panic spread across central Delhi.

Security agencies swiftly launched a coordinated investigation, tracing the car’s ownership through multiple hands — from Salman to Devender, Aamir, Tariq, and finally Dr. Umar Mohammed, who is suspected to have been driving the car during the blast. CCTV footage reportedly shows Umar moments before the explosion, and a DNA test has been ordered to confirm his identity.

Terror Links and Ongoing Investigation

Officials have not yet confirmed it as a terror attack, but a case has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is expected to take over the probe.

Sources suggest that Umar, panicked by the arrest of his associates and the seizure of explosives, might have executed a suicide attack. The investigation has also revealed connections to Jaish-e-Mohammad, with posters supporting the group found in Srinagar weeks before the explosion.

‘White Collar Terror Ecosystem’

Investigators describe this as a new wave of radicalisation — a “white-collar terror ecosystem” where educated professionals, including doctors, are being recruited for extremist activities. These networks reportedly used encrypted channels for communication, fund transfers, and coordination.

Funds were allegedly raised under the guise of social and charitable causes, while the accused handled recruitment, logistics, and procurement of arms and IED materials.

A Disturbing Shift

All three doctors held respectable positions before their arrest — Adeel worked at Government Medical College, Anantnag, Muzammil was a senior resident at Al Falah Medical College, and Umar was linked to local hospitals. Their alleged involvement underscores a disturbing shift in terror recruitment, targeting the educated elite.

Authorities are continuing extensive raids across multiple states as the probe widens to uncover deeper networks connected to the Red Fort blast.