Deadly Explosion Near Delhi's Red Fort: 8 Killed as Terrorist Network Uncovered

New Delhi:

A Hyundai i20 hatchback bearing Haryana registration plates was at the center of a powerful explosion near Delhi's Red Fort on Monday evening, sources informed NDTV. The blast claimed eight lives and left 20 people injured, causing 22 nearby vehicles, including an e-rickshaw, to erupt in flames.

According to sources, the car was originally owned by one Mohd Salman who later sold it to Tariq, reportedly from Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir—the location of the devastating 2019 terror attack that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel. Salman has been apprehended by police in Gurugram, Haryana.

Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha stated to reporters, "At 6.52 pm today, a slow-moving vehicle stopped at the red light. An explosion occurred in that vehicle, damaging nearby vehicles as well. Several fatalities and injuries have been reported."

"We are monitoring the situation. The Home Minister (Amit Shah) has contacted us," he added.

The Home Minister has subsequently briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer AK Malik informed news agency ANI that the fire resulting from the explosion was finally brought under control at 7.29 pm, noting that seven fire units were initially dispatched to the scene.

While details remain limited, preliminary information suggests the car was carrying multiple passengers and the explosion originated from the rear of the vehicle, possibly from the trunk area.

The blast was intense but did not leave any craters.

Forensic experts, including those from the National Investigation Agency, India's leading counter-terrorism organization, are currently at the site collecting evidence and data.

Though the nature of the explosion remains unclear at this time, all state security agencies have been placed on high alert. Security measures have also been intensified at the Indo-Nepal border, where Border Security Force personnel and intelligence officials are carefully monitoring all individuals crossing the open border.

The explosion occurred just hours after explosives were discovered in Faridabad.

The materials—which included 350kg of ammonium nitrate, a common fertilizer that can be converted into a powerful explosive—were seized based on intelligence obtained from Dr. Adil Rather, an arrested medical professional from Jammu and Kashmir.

Rather was apprehended in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh on Sunday after CCTV footage showed him putting up posters supporting the terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed across Srinagar.

The investigation also identified another medical professional from J&K, Muzammil Shakeel, who was employed at Al-Falah Hospital in Faridabad. Hospital records indicated he resided on campus, but police discovered at least two off-campus residences connected to him.

When these locations were searched, authorities were alarmed to discover 12 suitcases filled with explosive materials. Components for explosive devices, such as detonators and timers, were also recovered.

An unnamed female colleague, in whose Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire an assault rifle and ammunition were stored, has also been arrested. A second rifle and additional ammunition were found in a staff locker at the Government Medical College in Anantnag, where Rather had worked until last year.

Earlier today, referring to the raids, arrests, and seizures in J&K and Faridabad, police announced they had dismantled an inter-state and transnational terrorist network linked to at least two banned terrorist groups—the Pakistan-based Jaish and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, an al-Qaeda affiliated organization.

In addition to Rather, Shakeel, and the female doctor, five other individuals have been arrested thus far.