 "Who is Amir Rashid Ali, Kashmiri man arrested for links with Delhi suicide bomber?")
A major breakthrough in the Red Fort car blast investigation has come with the arrest of Amir Rashid Ali, a Kashmiri resident who investigators believe was closely linked to the suicide bomber behind the explosion.
According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Amir is suspected of having helped with the blast, which killed at least 14 people and left many others injured. Officials say his ties with Dr Umar Nabi, who carried out the attack, make him a crucial piece in understanding how the attack was planned and executed.
The evening of November 10 turned into chaos when a Hyundai i20 suddenly exploded near the Red Fort Metro Station at around 6:52 pm. The blast was so powerful that several nearby vehicles were ripped apart and triggered panic across the capital.
So, who exactly is Amir Rashid Ali, and what was his alleged role in the blast? Here’s what we know so far
Amir is from Samboora village in Pampore, located in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district. The NIA said the accused “had conspired with the alleged suicide bomber, Umar Un Nabi, to unleash the terror attack”.
According to investigators, Amir had travelled to Delhi to help organise the purchase of the car that was later converted into a vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The agency said:
“Amir had come to Delhi to facilitate the purchase of the car, which was eventually used as a vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (IED) to trigger the blast.”
A report by The Print said the car was bought from a second-hand dealer in Faridabad through the OLX marketplace. The dealer, Amit Patel, told the outlet that two men purchased the car using documents from Jammu & Kashmir.
“They gave us the required documents [for buying the car]…. We have given everything, including CCTV footage, to the police. After they gave documentation, we handed them the car,” Patel said, as quoted by The Print.
Investigators have also confirmed that the deceased driver of the IED-laden vehicle was Dr Umar Un Nabi, an Assistant Professor in the General Medicine department at Al-Falah University in Faridabad. Originally from Pulwama, Nabi was among those killed in the explosion.
Vehicles seized, 73 people questioned as probe expands
The NIA has seized another vehicle owned by Dr Nabi, which is now undergoing forensic analysis. So far, officials have examined 73 witnesses, including several injured in the blast, as part of a wider investigation.
The agency says it is working closely with Delhi Police, Jammu & Kashmir Police, Haryana Police, Uttar Pradesh Police and other central agencies to trace the full network behind the bombing.
According to The Indian Express, a doctor from Haryana was also questioned in Jammu & Kashmir late Saturday night. She is a student at the Government Medical College in Anantnag and was questioned regarding Dr Adeel Rather, another accused linked to the Faridabad terror module.
In another development, officials recovered three 9mm cartridges from the blast site, two live rounds and one empty shell. The ammunition is banned for civilian use and generally restricted to security forces or specially authorised individuals.
A source told PTI, “The cartridges were there, but there was no weapon to fire them. We are trying to understand the entire matter that how the bullets reached the spot.”
Security tightened across Delhi
In response to the attack, security has been stepped up across central Delhi, particularly around high-risk zones and busy public spaces.
Police have increased picket checks, intensified verification drives, and strengthened deployment at sensitive locations, officials confirmed on Sunday.
During a special late-night checking operation on Saturday, officers seized 34 unattended vehicles and issued 417 challans under the Delhi Police Act as part of a five-hour security sweep, a senior officer said.
With input from agencies
 "'Don't need lectures': Netanyahu rejects Palestine State idea two days after US proposal at UN")
 "Iran says it is willing to resume nuclear deal talks with US, demands 'respect and dignity'")
 "Rohini rebels, Lalu Yadav family implodes… How RJD’s defeat in Bihar elections led to a pari-war")
 "Handshake snub, fiery send-offs and contentious catch: India A vs Pakistan A clash explodes into controversy")
 "'Don't need lectures': Netanyahu rejects Palestine State idea two days after US proposal at UN")
 "Iran says it is willing to resume nuclear deal talks with US, demands 'respect and dignity'")
 "Rohini rebels, Lalu Yadav family implodes… How RJD’s defeat in Bihar elections led to a pari-war")
 "Handshake snub, fiery send-offs and contentious catch: India A vs Pakistan A clash explodes into controversy")
