Red Fort Blast Case: Was a Hindu Temple the First Target?

According to the NIA charge sheet in the Red Fort blast case, accused Umar-un-Nabi allegedly intended to park his car near Lal Mandir in Chandni Chowk and carry out the explosion there. On November 10, he reportedly attempted to stop the car near the temple at around 6:37 pm. However, heavy traffic and the presence of police prevented him from parking there. He then allegedly took a U-turn and drove towards the Red Fort, where the car bomb exploded. The incident claimed 11 lives and left 29 people injured.

The NIA has also alleged that Umar stayed in a rented room in Nuh for around 11 days before the blast, where activities related to the preparation of explosives were allegedly carried out. The agency had earlier stated that he visited the Red Fort 12 times between 2023 and 2025 and last visited the site on May 1, 2025, raising suspicions that he conducted reconnaissance. According to the charge sheet, evidence recovered from a pen drive linked to another suspect, Shaheen Sayeed, reportedly contained information related to making explosives using urea nitrate.