New Delhi: Delhi blast accused Dr Umar Muhammad assembled the explosive device inside the Red Fort’s public parking area before triggering the deadly explosion on November 10, sources told IANS.

Dr Umar, a resident of Koil village in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, was driving the Haryana-registered Hyundai i20 that suddenly exploded near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, sending shockwaves through one of Delhi’s most protected zones.

Investigators are closely scrutinising the three unexplained hours Umar spent inside the Red Fort parking lot. The car entered the lot at 3.19 p.m. and exited at 6.22 p.m., and sources said Umar did not step out even once during this period.

According to sources, investigators are probing whether Umar was in contact with handlers during this time, whether he met anyone in Delhi or Faridabad, whether he was conducting reconnaissance, or whether he was waiting for a peak-hour crowd.

Digital forensics shows a spike in net activity by Umar throughout the day, indicating possible communication with his module.

Sources added that the accused and his associates failed to anticipate that the Red Fort is closed on Mondays, leaving the parking area nearly empty. With no crowd present and the original plan compromised, the conspirators decided against detonating the bomb inside the parking zone.

Instead, Umar drove out and moved toward the busy Netaji Subhash Marg, which connects the Red Fort to Chandni Chowk. After leaving the parking area, he detonated the device, killing 13 people and injuring 20 others.

Investigators believe Umar spent the three hours in the parking lot assembling the explosive device and left only once the bomb was ready.

A key question now being examined, sources said, is what compelled Umar to take the extraordinary risk of remaining for hours in a highly guarded zone. Investigators are probing whether he was waiting for a sleeper-cell contact, additional logistical support, or instructions from handlers.

Agencies are also examining whether the recent arrests linked to the terror network triggered panic within the module, prompting Umar to carry out the blast earlier than planned.

Delhi Police and central security agencies are now mapping the entire chain of events, tracing the source of the explosives, and identifying other members of the module. They are also scrutinising the Telegram group used for communication and investigating whether more active sleeper cells remain operational. IANS