The investigators probing the car blast in Delhi have confirmed that the driver of the explosive-laden vehicle was Dr Umar Un Nabi, a senior doctor at Al Falah University and a suspect in the Faridabad terror module.
The probe team confirmed the identity after the DNA samples collected from the blast site matched with Dr Umar’s mother and brother.
The sleuths had earlier detained his mother and two brothers in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir for questioning and DNA sample collection.
The slow-moving Hyundai i20 car exploded near the Red Fort at 6.52 pm on Monday, killing 12 people and injuring over 20 others.
Initial investigation based on CCTV visuals indicated that Dr Umar had parked the vehicle at the Sunehri Masjid parking lot around 3.19 pm. He later went to a mosque on Asaf Ali Road, close to Ramleela Maidan, where he allegedly stayed for nearly three hours and offered namaz.
The blast came hours after the Jammu and Kashmir Police, with the help of their Haryana counterparts, busted a terror module based in Faridabad and arrested eight people, including three doctors.
Around 3,000 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate and sulphur were also seized in the raids.
Investigators believe that the explosion in Delhi was triggered in panic and desperation as police continued raids and searches to nab suspects who were part of the module.
'A terror incident'
The government on Wednesday termed the blast as a "heinous terror incident" and directed investigating agencies to deal with the case with "utmost urgency and professionalism".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who returned from Bhutan, visited the survivors at Delhi's LNJP hospital.
"Went to LNJP Hospital and met those injured during the blast in Delhi. Praying for everyone's quick recovery. Those behind the conspiracy will be brought to justice!" Modi said in a post on X.
