Red Fort Bomber Was Popular Teacher But Had Bad Temper, Radicalised Students At Al Falah | Exclusive

Last Updated:November 15, 2025, 08:47 IST

Sources said while Umar was generally an introvert, he was known to bully younger students and frequently clash with his seniors, which invited complaints about his aggression

Dr Umar Nabi. (Image: News18)

Red Fort bomber Dr Umar Nabi, a key figure in the Faridabad terror module, was academically sound and a popular teacher at Al Falah University but attempted to radicalise the students who admired him, J&K Police sources have told CNN-News18.

According to the sources, Umar pushed a strict, fundamentalist religious agenda, pressuring Muslim students to pray five times a day and adopt a more rigid interpretation of Islam. While the sources said Umar was generally an introvert, his behaviour was often erratic and he was known to bully younger students. His temper was infamous and he would frequently clash with his seniors which invited complaints about his aggression.

The sources added that Umar’s aggression and erratic behaviour were not just signs of radicalisation, but rooted in deeper personal struggles. They told CNN-News18 that Umar came from a lineage marked by mental health issues, including schizophrenia. This family history of mental illness may have contributed to his increasingly unstable behaviour and his growing isolation from others, with some reports saying the terror accused had a split personality.

Despite being an introvert, Umar’s personality took a sharp turn as his extremist views gained traction. Many who fell under his influence were eventually radicalised, leaving an imprint of extremism on students from across India, including Uttar Pradesh, Kashmir, and even Manipur. The police sources said a woman student from Imphal, who was reportedly radicalised by Umar, was under the scanner of the agencies.

The transformation of Umar from a respected educator to a terrorist involved in the Red Fort bombing is now the subject of intense investigation. Authorities have pieced together his movements and are now investigating his tracks between October 30—when his aide Dr Muzammil was arrested—and November 10 when the Delhi blast killed 13 people and injured several others.

On the day of the explosion, CCTV footage had captured a man matching Umar’s description walking near Asaf Ali Road, not far from the site of the blast. A few hours later, a car loaded with explosives, later linked to the attack, was spotted near Connaught Place, with reports showing Umar behind the wheel.

Umar remained underground after his associate’s arrest, but his DNA was confirmed at the scene of the Red Fort bombing, cementing his involvement in the attack that shook Delhi.

Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

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