Daijiworld Media Network - Pulwama

Pulwama, Nov 15: The family home of Dr Umar Nabi — accused of driving the car that exploded outside Delhi’s Red Fort Metro station on Monday — was demolished in Koil village of Pulwama district late Thursday night, officials confirmed.

Umar’s parents, brother and sister-in-law were living in the two-storey structure, which had a small yard at the front. Authorities said the residents were moved out before the house was blown up.

While houses of those booked in militancy cases have earlier been attached under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), demolitions remain rare in Kashmir. The only previous instance this year was after the April Pahalgam terror attack, when security forces razed the homes of ten accused or their relatives over a span of three days.

Former J&K chief minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said the “harshest action” must be taken against those behind the Delhi blast, but strictly “as per law”. She questioned the demolition of homes where “elderly parents live and have no connection”.

Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi also criticised the demolition, calling it “collective punishment” that leaves families homeless in winter. “Acts of cruelty don’t bring justice to victims, nor do they help peace,” he said, urging investigations to focus on the “actual perpetrators”.

The J&K Police is yet to issue an official statement on the demolition. Umar was working at the School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre at Al Falah University, Faridabad.