The main suspect in the November 10 Delhi blast near Red Fort has sparked controversy by defending what he calls 'martyrdom operations' in a recently surfaced video. Dr Umar Un Nabi, whose DNA was matched to the explosive vehicle, claims the concept of suicide bombing is widely misunderstood.
Controversial Video Statement
In the viral video, Dr Umar Un Nabi presents his perspective on acts of violence that are typically labeled as suicide bombings. "One of the very misunderstood concepts is what has been labelled as 'suicide bombing'. It is a martyrdom operation," Umar states in the recording.
He further elaborates on his definition, explaining that "Martyrdom operation is when a person presumes that he is going to die for sure at a particular place, at a particular time." This justification has drawn widespread criticism from social media users and security experts alike.
Public Outrage and Social Media Reaction
Social media platforms erupted with condemnation following the video's circulation. Many users pointed out the religious contradictions in Nabi's statements.
"Committing suicide is a major sin in Islam. Only someone with 'Khawarij' mentality would support it. And, the one who commits suicide will be punished in Hell for eternity," wrote one user, highlighting theological objections to such actions.
Another comment questioned the failure of education and privilege to prevent radicalization: "How can this mindset change, if education, status and financial freedom are also not guiding them for social harmony? How can the sick loonies ask questions of why society does not accept this behaviour?"
The presentation style of the video also drew sharp remarks, with one user noting: "He spoke like he was giving a TED Talk, but the content was straight out of a graveyard. Empty soul, borrowed accent."
Background of the Accused
Dr Umar Un Nabi's profile adds complexity to the case. He was a trained medical professional who served as an Assistant Professor at the Government Medical College in Jammu and Kashmir. His medical career took a downward turn when he was dismissed from the hospital following negligence that led to a patient's death. Subsequently, he worked at a private hospital in Faridabad.
The explosion near Delhi's iconic Red Fort on November 10 resulted in significant casualties, with at least 12 people killed and many more injured. While Dr Umar Un Nabi has not been formally convicted, investigative authorities have confirmed through DNA testing that he was driving the vehicle that exploded.
Investigation Status and Conflicting Theories
The nature of the blast remains a point of investigation with conflicting theories emerging from different agencies. Intelligence sources told NDTV that preliminary evidence suggests the explosion was accidental rather than intentional.
According to these sources, the vehicle was moving normally in traffic and wasn't driven into a crowd to maximize casualties. The blast appears to have been caused by a faulty improvised explosive device (IED) that exploded while being transported as part of an inter-state terror module.
However, other investigative officers maintain that the case is still open. "Whether this blast was premeditated or accidental is a matter of investigation," an officer told The Times of India, indicating that multiple possibilities are being explored.
Security agencies have detained several relatives and close contacts of Dr Nabi for questioning. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Delhi Police continue to probe his suspected terror links and the broader network behind the incident.
