New Delhi: Just a week after the suicide explosion that ravaged the busy Red Fort area during the evening rush hour—resulting in 13 fatalities and numerous injuries—investigators have uncovered disturbing evidence that may change the understanding of the terror attack. The November 10 blast, already notable as one of the rare suicide bombings in India, has left the National Investigation Agency (NIA) astonished for another reason: the assailant may have been a “shoe bomber.” According to NIA sources, a severed ankle found among the wreckage of the vehicle used in the attack suggests that Dr Umar un Nabi might have hidden a triggering device within his shoe.
A metallic piece found in the shoe is currently under examination to ascertain if it functioned as the trigger. This method closely resembles Richard Reid’s 2001 attempt to detonate a trans-Atlantic flight using TATP concealed in his footwear. Investigators also suspect that Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP)—the volatile explosive known as “Mother of Satan” due to its extreme sensitivity to heat, friction, and static electricity—was used. Compounding the enigma, three 9mm cartridges—two live and one spent—were discovered near the explosion site. This caliber is restricted for civilian use and is usually allocated only to specialized units, raising questions about the events that transpired inside or around the vehicle just prior to the explosion.
Sources indicate that the advanced “white-collar” terror network recently dismantled by J&K Police—allegedly operated by a group of radicalized physicians—had been searching for a suicide bomber since last year, with key planner Dr Umar Nabi actively advancing the scheme.
