On 10th November, a major car blast near the Red Fort shook the national capital, killing eight people and injuring around two dozen. According to media reports, investigators have linked the white Hyundai i20 used in the attack to a doctor from Pulwama, which established the link between the blast and the raids that were carried out in Faridabad hours before the incident.
The first owner of the car was one Salman, who later sold the car and it changed multiple hands. The current owner of the car was Umar Mohammad, a doctor from Pulwama. According to The Print report, he was linked to the terror module that was busted in Faridabad hours before the blast, and 2,900 kg of explosives were recovered.
According to NDTV report, an unnamed officer said that Umar panicked following the raids and arrests of two members of the module, Dr Mujammil Shakeel and Dr Adil Rather. Out of panic, he triggered the blast near the Red Fort.
The report further stated that as the car was seen moving from the Red Fort towards the city centre, it is unclear if the target was intended to be the location where the incident took place or somewhere else. According to unnamed police sources quoted by NDTV, large quantities of ammonium nitrate were used in the attack, the same material recovered during the raids in Faridabad. Notably, ammonium nitrate is usually used as fertiliser but can also be used to make bombs.
Delhi Police, J&K Police, NIA, NSG, Intelligence Bureau, UP ATS, Haryana Police, Gujarat Police and forensic teams are jointly investigating the blast. NDTV reported that a man named Tariq has been detained by J&K Police in Pulwama and the initial questioning revealed that the vehicle used in the blast changed hands several times.
Salman, the original owner of the car, sold it to one individual named Aamir, and then it was passed to Tariq, followed by Umar, who initiated the blast. More details are expected to follow as investigating agencies probe the matter.
Red Fort Blast
On 10th November, a massive blast occurred close to Red Fort in Delhi. The blast was so intense that nearby vehicles caught fire. At least eight people lost their lives and several others were injured. The injured were rushed to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital. Within minutes of the blast, fire brigade and investigation agencies rushed to the spot. Home Minister Amit Shah visited the hospital and the blast site. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and called HM Shah to take stock of the situation. HM conducted a high-level meeting at midnight and said in a statement that all angles are being probed in the matter. More information is expected to be shared by the investigating agencies and Home Ministry on Tuesday.