Cops identify i20 car driver in which blast occurred, trace vehicle to Faridabad; calling the explosion “a bomb blast”, the Delhi Police has invoked sections pertaining to conspiracy and punishment for a terror attack under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
Charred remains of vehicles at a cordoned off area following the blast near Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening. PIC/PTI
The death toll in the blast near Red Fort rose to 12, with three more people succumbing to injuries, police said on Tuesday.
A powerful explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening. Till Monday night, nine people were confirmed to have died in the blast and 20 others were injured, officials said.
Police on Tuesday investigated the Red Fort blast as a possible terror attack and zeroed in on a Pulwama doctor, who was driving the car that exploded and had links to a terror module busted with the recovery of explosives mainly from Faridabad.
Car driver identified as Dr Umar Nabi. PIC/X@ShivanChanana
Calling the explosion “a bomb blast”, the Delhi Police has invoked sections pertaining to conspiracy and punishment for a terror attack under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Raids are being conducted at multiple locations by the Delhi Police. The national capital has been placed on high alert with strict vigil being maintained at the airport, railway stations and bus terminals.
According to a senior police officer, an FIR has been registered at the Kotwali police station under the UAPA, the Explosives Act and sections of the BNS.
NIA takes over probe
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday handed over the probe into a blast near the Red Fort to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), sources said.
This is a clear indication that the blast is being considered by the government as an act of terror, as the NIA is mandated to probe terror cases only.
“The blast case has been handed over to the NIA,” a source said.
Car came from Faridabad
The Delhi Police has traced the 11-hour route taken by the Hyundai i20 car that was used in a blast, revealing the vehicle’s movement from Haryana’s Faridabad to the national capital.
Relatives of a man who died in the blast express sorrow. PIC/PTI
According to the sources, CCTV footage and data obtained from a toll plaza have helped the investigators piece together a detailed timeline of the vehicle’s movement.
The car began its journey from Faridabad early Monday morning and meandered through several parts of Delhi, before it detonated near the Red Fort metro station around 6:52 pm on Monday, the sources said.
Driver identified
Police on Tuesday identified the driver of the car as Dr Umar Nabi from Pulwama. Umar, also connected to Al Falah and believed to be driving the Hyundai i20 car, allegedly carried out the terror attack as he feared he might be caught like his fellow doctors, officials said.
Eight people, including three doctors, were arrested on Monday, and 2900 kg of explosives were seized with the uncovering of a “white collar” terror module involving the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. Among those arrested following a 15-day operation were Kashmir’s Dr Muzammil Ganaie in Faridabad and Lucknow’s Dr Shaheen Sayeed.
DNA test
The Jammu and Kashmir police questioned the driver’s family and also took the DNA of Umar’s mother. “We have taken the mother of the suspect to collect DNA samples in order to match with the parts found at the scene of the blast,” an official said here.
Nabi’s sister-in-law, Muzamil, said the family cannot believe that he could be involved in terror activities.
She said her brother-in-law was an introvert right from his childhood and used to focus on his studies and work. She insisted that Umar was not the kind of person to get involved in terror activities.
HM chairs security meetings
Union Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday instructed the security agencies to hunt down each and every culprit behind the Delhi blast that claimed 12 lives. He said everyone involved will face the full wrath of security agencies.
Shah said this after chairing two subsequent security review meetings.
“Chaired review meetings on the Delhi car blast with the senior officials. Instructed them to hunt down each and every culprit behind this incident. Everyone involved in this act will face the full wrath of our agencies,” he wrote on X.
The first meeting was attended by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha and NIA DG Sadanand Vasant Date.
DGP of Jammu and Kashmir Nalin Prabhat also attended the meeting virtually. During the meeting, top officials gave detailed presentations on the situation in the aftermath of the blast, sources said.
PM warns conspirators
The conspirators behind the Delhi car blast will not be spared as the probe agencies investigating it will get to the bottom of the case to bring those responsible for it to justice, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday. The PM said throughout Monday night, he was in touch with the probe agencies investigating the blast.
World leaders condole deaths
US, China, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Israel, Ireland, Bhutan, and Nepal on Tuesday said they were “deeply saddened” by the tragic loss of lives in the explosion:
US State Department
“Our hearts are with those affected by the terrible explosion in New Delhi. We continue to closely monitor the situation. Our sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.”
Lin Jian
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson “We are shocked by the incident.”
Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Sri Lankan President
“Saddened by news of the explosion in Delhi last evening. Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India. Our thoughts are with all those affected.”
Mohamed Muizzu
Maldives President
“Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and good wishes for swift recovery of the injured. The Maldives stands in solidarity with the people.”
Sushila Karki
Nepal’s interim Prime Minister
“Nepal stands in solidarity with India in this hour of grief. Deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Gideon Sa’ar
Israel’s Foreign Minister
Extended his deepest condolences to the people of India, especially to the families of the innocent victims killed in the blast. “Israel stands with India in its fight against terror.”
Simon Harris
Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister
“Our thoughts are with all those who lost their lives, the injured, and their families. We offer our full support and solidarity with the people and Government of India at this difficult time.”
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