NIA’s First Arrest in Red Fort Blast - Aide Who Bought the Car Held

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made its first arrest in the investigation into the deadly car explosion near the Red Fort, taking into custody Amir Rashid Ali — a Kashmir resident whom investigators say helped procure the Hyundai i20 used in the blast. This arrest is being treated as a major development in the agency’s probe into what it has called a car-borne suicide attack.

What the NIA Says

The agency alleges the vehicle involved in the November 10 explosion was registered in Amir Rashid Ali’s name and that he conspired with the suspected driver, identified by authorities as Dr. Umar Un Nabi, to procure and deliver the car later used as a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. Amir Rashid Ali was produced before a Delhi court and remanded to NIA custody for interrogation.

Identity of the Suspected Driver and Forensics

Officials have said DNA and forensic examinations linked the deceased driver to Dr. Umar Un Nabi, an assistant professor of general medicine who has been identified in media reports as the person behind the wheel when the i20 detonated. Forensic teams reportedly recovered residues consistent with high-explosive materials — details investigators say are crucial to tracing the procurement chain and composition of the device.

Why this Arrest Matters

Arresting the person in whose name the car was registered gives investigators leads on how the vehicle was bought, modified and moved into Delhi — information that could reveal co-conspirators, supply routes for explosive precursors and whether the plot was limited or part of a wider module. The NIA will use custody time to interrogate the accused, conduct searches and follow forensic leads.

Security Response and Public Reaction

After the blast, which claimed lives and injured dozens near the historic Red Fort, authorities increased security around key public sites and transport hubs while urging calm. Local and national leaders called for a swift, transparent investigation; the NIA’s arrest is being presented by officials as an early sign that investigative leads are producing results.

Journalistic note: Verification and Restraint

Investigations are ongoing. Media and the public should rely on NIA and court statements for factual updates. Several outlets have cautioned against spreading unverified social-media material as the probe continues and the agency works to corroborate digital evidence, witness accounts and forensic findings.

Five Most Load-Bearing Factual Claims (with sources)

1. Arrest of Amir Rashid Ali by the NIA — reported by Reuters, Indian Express, NDTV.
   

2. Car (Hyundai i20) used in blast was registered in his name — reported by Times of India, Reuters.
   

3. Suspected driver identified as Dr. Umar Un Nabi (reported as driver / suicide bomber) — reported by AP, Mathrubhumi, NDTV.
   

4. Forensic traces / explosive residue reported — reported by Mathrubhumi and AP coverage.
   

5. Delhi court remanded the accused to 10-day NIA custody for interrogation — reported by Economic Times and Newsonair.
   

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