Preparations for Republic Day Were Underway in November — What Is the Red Fort Blast Revealing?

New Delhi : Was there a plot to carry out a terrorist attack at the Red Fort on January 26? This question has emerged as new leads from the ongoing Delhi Police investigation into the recent car explosion suggest a possible link to a larger terror conspiracy targeting the upcoming Republic Day celebrations.
According to police sources, the November 10 blast near the Red Fort may have been part of a planned attempt to disrupt the Republic Day parade route. Investigators have found crucial evidence while analyzing the mobile data of Dr. Muzammil Ganaie, the alleged mastermind of the “White-Collar Terror Module” recently arrested in Faridabad. The mobile dump data and tower locations revealed that Dr. Ganaie visited the Red Fort and nearby areas multiple times during the first week of January 2025.
A senior police officer stated,

“Dr. Muzammil’s phone location repeatedly appeared near the Red Fort. It appears to have been part of a systematic reconnaissance—likely in preparation for a January 26 attack.”

It is notable that the Republic Day parade culminates near the Red Fort every year, and the entire stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the Red Fort remains under tight security, with thousands of security personnel and VIP movements. Any attempt to target this area represents a grave threat to national security.
Investigators further revealed that Dr. Ganaie and his associate, Dr. Umar Nabi, visited the Red Fort and its surroundings several times. They reportedly studied the security arrangements, entry points, crowd timings, and police patrol patterns. CCTV footage and tower location data have confirmed these findings.
Delhi Police’s Special Cell is now analyzing the duo’s digital footprints to trace their funding sources, the procurement channels of explosives, and possible foreign handlers. Umar Nabi’s activities are also under scrutiny, especially to determine who he was in contact with just before the explosion. Police sources claim both suspects’ phone data dumps are being minutely examined, and initial findings suggest possible foreign links — including travel to Türkiye.
This case highlights the evolving nature of terrorism in India. While security agencies have effectively curbed ground-level terrorism over the past decade, a new threat is emerging — “White-Collar Terrorism.” The involvement of educated professionals like Ganaie and Nabi points to the rise of ideological radicalization occurring not in border camps but through digital networks and online forums.
Unlike conventional terrorists, these individuals possess technical expertise and the ability to blend seamlessly into normal civilian life, making them harder to detect.
If Delhi Police’s investigation proves accurate, this was an attempt to desecrate one of India’s most symbolic national celebrations — Republic Day. The incident serves as a stark reminder that terrorism is evolving beyond traditional intelligence frameworks.
As the lines between the physical and digital worlds blur, India’s security architecture must strengthen both ground and cyber surveillance to counter these new-age threats.
The Red Fort explosion may have been small in magnitude, but its echoes are far-reaching — warning of a new kind of danger, one that now wears a suit, a tie, or even a stethoscope.