Red Fort bomber Umar calls suicide bombing 'very misunderstood’ in an unseen video

A week after the deadly car blast near Delhi’s iconic Red Fort, which claimed at least 14 lives and injured over 20, a chilling self-recorded video of the suicide bomber, Dr Umar un Nabi, has emerged, offering a rare glimpse into the radicalised mind behind the attack.

In the video, Dr Umar, speaking fluent English with a measured accent, discusses the concept of suicide bombing, which he describes as “very misunderstood.” He insists that what is commonly labelled a “suicide bombing” is actually a “martyrdom operation” in Islam.

“One of the very misunderstood concepts is the concept of what has been labelled as suicide bombing. It is a martyrdom operation... known in Islam. Now, there are multiple contradictions; there are multiple arguments that have been brought against it,” he says.

He explains that a “martyrdom” operation is when a person assumes they will die at a specific place and time, acting against the natural presumption of death. In his case, he adds, “we don’t have the situation,” and cautions, “Don't fear death.”

Investigators believe the November 10 blast, which ripped through a busy street near the historic Red Fort, was accidental and that Dr Umar had planned a larger-scale suicide bombing in the future. The force of the explosion shattered shopfronts and caused panic across the Old Delhi area, one of the most crowded parts of the capital.

The video also makes it clear that the attack had been carefully planned, negating earlier speculation that the blast may have been triggered inadvertently during transportation of explosives.

Dr Umar, a doctor by profession, was the most radicalised member of the so-called “white collar” Faridabad terror module that carried out the attack. The module, allegedly linked to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist group, reportedly included nine to ten members, among them five to six doctors. These individuals used their positions at the tainted Al-Falah University to procure chemicals and other materials necessary for explosives.

Investigators believe Dr Umar recorded the video as a means to brainwash others, demonstrating the methodical and deeply radicalised mindset of the bomber. His articulate discussion of suicide bombing and martyrdom reveals that he had reflected extensively on these subjects, presenting a calm and composed façade while justifying a heinous act.