Delhi Car Bomber Umar Visited Turkey With 2 Associates In 2022; Probe Suspects Larger Network

Last Updated:November 13, 2025, 17:21 IST

Sources say the trio travelled to Turkey in March 2022, remaining abroad for more than two weeks.

Umar spotted walking near Asif Ali Road; (r) He was spotted driving car with explosives in CP

Investigators probing the car explosion near the Red Fort metro station in Delhi say the attack appears to have been the culmination of a larger and bigger terror network that included three Kashmiri medical professionals.

According to top level sources, Dr Umar U Nabi, who was driving the car which blasted outside Red Fort, visited Turkey with two persons. Umar visited the country with Muzafar Ahmad Rather (likely a doctor) and Dr Muzammil Shakeel. The trio travelled to Turkey in March 2022, remaining abroad for more than two weeks. During their stay, they reportedly met with about 14 individuals whose identities remain under investigation, one of whom is said to be the brother of a person arrested by police in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Initial investigation has revealed that they may not have taken a hotel for the full stay but that is yet to be established with the itinerary.

Umar U Nabi was behind the wheel of the car that exploded in Delhi, triggering the blast. Authorities say the other two doctors played supporting roles within the conspiracy: one in logistics and recruitment, the other in securing storage and infrastructure.

Terror journey start from 2021?

According to the top level sources, after the travel details of Dr Umar, investigators are suspecting that the foreign journey may have started from late 2021. Later, all the members of the module got connected and decided to travel to Turkey.

Unlike other terror cases, in this case, no details have been found to establish if the key suspects visited Pakistan.

Dr Muzafar Ahmad Rather, a resident of Wunpora in Pulwama district (Jammu & Kashmir), is suspected to be the brother of Adeel who was arrested from Saharanpur, UP after the blast.

Meanwhile, Dr Muzammil Shakeel, from Koil in Pulwama, had been working for the past several years at a university hospital (Al-Falah medical school) in Faridabad (Haryana). He reportedly rented rooms in the district that were used to store large quantities of explosives, bomb-making materials, rifles, ammunition and timers. Authorities say items recovered from his rented accommodation include 350-plus kg of suspected explosives and electronic/remote devices tied to IED manufacture.

As the probe widens, additional arrests and search operations are expected across Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. The authorities say dismantling the network will require tracing not just the physical explosives, but the professional and academic cover that enabled them to operate undetected.

Ankur Sharma

With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar...Read More

With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar...

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News india Delhi Car Bomber Umar Visited Turkey With 2 Associates In 2022; Probe Suspects Larger Network

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