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Delhi Red Fort Blast (Img: X)
New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made a major revelation in the Red Fort terror attack case, stating that bomber Umar Un Nabi deliberately triggered the explosion using a shoe-based command mechanism. The agency has ruled out the possibility of an accidental blast and said the attack was part of a planned terror conspiracy.
According to the NIA chargesheet, forensic examination established that a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) was used in the blast. Investigators recovered a shoe from the explosion site that had a metal component attached to its heel, indicating the use of a foot-operated triggering system.
The agency stated that a piezoelectric plate was used as part of the mechanism. The device could convert mechanical pressure into electrical energy, allowing the explosive to be activated through movement or pressure.
NIA investigators claimed that accused Jasir Bilal Wani, an explosives expert, developed the mechanism and handed it over to Nabi, who used it to trigger the explosion inside the vehicle loaded with explosives.
The chargesheet states that Umar Un Nabi was familiar with the Red Fort area and had visited the location multiple times between December 2023 and May 2025. Investigators believe the location was selected because the Red Fort was viewed by the terror group as a symbol of the Indian state.
The probe revealed links of the accused with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), an affiliate of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). NIA alleged that the group was attempting to rebuild its network and spread extremist ideology.
The investigation also highlighted the alleged financial and logistical support provided to the group. NIA claimed that explosives, chemicals, weapons and other materials were procured as part of the conspiracy.
Several documents and digital records were recovered during the investigation, including material related to combat training and covert operations.
The Red Fort blast killed 12 people and injured 29 others, while several vehicles were damaged in the explosion. The NIA is continuing its investigation into the wider conspiracy and the role of other accused persons.
