Delhi Terror Attack: The Fatal Calendar Error That Changed a Bomber's Plans Near Red Fort

Fresh investigations reveal that Umar Muhammad, the physician suspected of orchestrating the fatal car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort, spent over three hours in a nearby parking lot without exiting his vehicle. Entering at 3:19 pm and departing at 6:28 pm before the devastating blast occurred, investigators are questioning whether he was awaiting instructions or reconsidering his actions.

According to investigation sources, Umar's initial strategy involved detonating explosives stored in his car's back seat near the Red Fort parking area, typically crowded during winter days. However, in his haste following the arrest of his accomplices and the significant explosives seizure, he overlooked a crucial detail: Red Fort remains closed on Mondays. Upon reaching the parking facility, he found no crowds, likely causing frustration as he contemplated his next move.

After the extended wait, Umar drove onto Netaji Subhash Marg, which borders Red Fort on one side and Chandni Chowk on the other. The vehicle exploded at a traffic signal near Red Fort Metro Station, damaging multiple vehicles in the congested area and triggering nationwide security concerns. Nine people lost their lives and more than 20 suffered injuries in the explosion.

Approximately 600 police officers have analyzed footage from over 1,000 CCTV cameras to track the white Hyundai i20's journey from Al Falah University in Faridabad on Monday morning. The vehicle was captured crossing the Haryana-Delhi border at Badarpur toll plaza at 8:13 am, then proceeding through Mayur Vihar and Connaught Place before arriving at the Red Fort parking area. During this journey, he paused on Asaf Ali Road near Old Delhi for about 30 minutes, with footage showing him alone in the vehicle before continuing to the parking lot.

Questions have emerged regarding Umar's route after entering Delhi. From Badarpur toll booth, he initially headed toward Mayur Vihar, where the prominent Akshardham Temple is situated. Instead of proceeding directly to Old Delhi, he detoured through Connaught Place, Delhi's central district, prompting speculation: was Connaught Place an intended target? Investigators are examining additional CCTV footage from this area to determine more about the vehicle's movements.

While Umar entered Delhi shortly after 8 am, the explosion occurred nearly 11 hours later, including a three-hour parking lot stay. Security agencies are investigating the reasons behind this timeline. Was he awaiting authorization or deliberating about potential targets?

Authorities discovered that Umar's phone was deactivated on October 31—ten days before the explosion—with its last detected location at Al Falah University. Throughout surveillance footage of his journey, Umar was never seen using a mobile device. This raises questions about whether avoiding phone use was deliberate and how he maintained contact with potential handlers. Investigators are considering whether he adhered to predetermined instructions without needing communication or possibly utilized a disposable phone that was destroyed in the blast.

Umar's extended stay at the parking facility presents numerous questions. Some reports suggest he was reading news about the significant explosives seizure in Faridabad and his associates' arrests during this time. The impact of this information on his subsequent actions remains speculative.

While some reports have characterized the incident as a potential suicide attack, intelligence sources emphasize that panic likely triggered the explosion. They suggest the explosive device was improperly assembled, reducing its impact. This panic may have resulted from security agencies' interception of 2,900 kg of explosives in Faridabad and the arrest of Umar's associates.

Currently, these remain investigative theories, and only thorough investigation will reveal the complete sequence of events.