Ask Onix
India identifies suspect in deadly Delhi car explosion
Indian authorities on Sunday named Umar Un Nabi, a 34-year-old assistant professor from Indian-administered Kashmir, as the alleged driver of a car bomb that detonated near Delhi's historic Red Fort last Monday, killing 10 people and wounding 32 others.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), India's counter-terrorism body, stated it had forensically confirmed Nabi's identity as the "alleged suicide bomber" behind the attack. The agency also announced the arrest of another Kashmiri man in whose name the vehicle-used in the explosion-was reportedly registered.
Kashmiri academic with no prior record
Nabi, a medical doctor by training, worked as an assistant professor in the general medicine department at Al-Falah University in Faridabad, a satellite city of Delhi. His sudden emergence as the prime suspect has left his family and neighbors in shock, with relatives telling the BBC they had "no knowledge" of his alleged involvement.
Within hours of the blast, Nabi's name dominated Indian news cycles, accompanied by his photograph circulating widely on social media. His family's home in Pulwama district, Kashmir, became the focus of an intense security operation, with multiple raids conducted overnight.
Family detained, home demolished
Security forces detained four of Nabi's relatives-including his two brothers, sister, and brother-in-law-shortly after the explosion. Though some were later released, the family's ordeal escalated when their home was demolished by authorities late Thursday, leaving them homeless ahead of winter.
A relative described the demolition to the BBC: "We were ordered to leave, and soon after, we heard a loud blast. The house was reduced to rubble." The family, which includes Nabi's elderly parents, a pregnant sister-in-law, and young children, is now sheltering with relatives.
"We have nothing to say. What was done is done."
Family relative, speaking to the BBC
Links to wider explosives seizure
The Delhi blast occurred hours after Kashmir police announced the arrest of seven men across India and the seizure of 2,900 kg of explosives in Faridabad-the same suburb where Nabi lived and worked. The NIA has not confirmed a direct link but told the BBC it is investigating potential connections.
Local police and the Special Investigation Agency (SIA)-Kashmir's counter-terrorism unit-declined to comment on the arrests or demolition, citing an "ongoing investigation."
Neighbors and family in disbelief
Residents of Nabi's village expressed stunned disbelief at the allegations. "Everyone is traumatized," one neighbor said, adding that the community had no prior indication of Nabi's purported ties to extremism. His father, a retired schoolteacher, told reporters the family owned only one car-which remained parked at their home-and denied any knowledge of the vehicle linked to the bombing.
Investigators spent hours questioning relatives about Nabi's recent movements, including his last visit home and final communications with the family. His mother and father were briefly detained for DNA sampling before being released.
Unanswered questions
The case has raised pressing questions about the circumstances leading to the blast, Nabi's alleged radicalization, and the broader security implications of the explosives seizure. Authorities have yet to provide details on motives or potential accomplices, while Nabi's family grapples with the sudden destruction of their home and reputation.
As winter approaches, the family faces an uncertain future, compounded by the loss of their residence and the stigma of the accusations. "We are still trying to understand what happened," a relative said.
