Delhi Red Fort Blast: Security Guard Tariq Ahmad Malik Among Three Suspects Arrested in Deadly Explosion

Tariq Ahmad Malik, a 44-year-old security guard employed at a bank in Pulwama, has been apprehended in connection with the deadly Delhi blast near Red Fort. He is one of three suspects detained from Samboora village in Jammu and Kashmir following the explosion.

The devastating incident occurred on Monday evening when a white Hyundai i20 car exploded in proximity to the Red Fort, resulting in nine fatalities and leaving 20 others injured. Authorities believe Dr. Umar Mohammad, who was driving the vehicle, was functioning as a suicide bomber. Investigators have identified four key suspects in the case: Dr. Umar Mohammad, Tariq Ahmad Malik, Aamir Rashid, and Umar Rashid.

Currently, security forces have transported both Tariq and Aamir to Srinagar for interrogation, while Umar Rashid remains in Pampore, Kashmir.

The explosion took place at 6:52 pm when the white Hyundai i20 stopped at a traffic light on Subhas Marg, a busy street in old Delhi. The blast was so powerful that it engulfed 22 nearby vehicles in flames and threw people through the air. Emergency responders deployed 15 fire engines, requiring half an hour to control the blaze. Eyewitness accounts describe a horrific scene with victims' bodies scattered across the area.

Earlier that day, a joint operation by Jammu and Kashmir police and Haryana police dismantled what they termed a "white-collar" terror module. This operation resulted in the arrest of Dr. Adeel Ahmad Rather and Dr. Mujammil Shakil, who are reportedly associates of Dr. Umar Mohammad. Law enforcement seized approximately 2,900 kg of explosives along with weapons including assault rifles and pistols. Sources indicate this police action may have prompted Dr. Umar Mohammad to execute the bombing.

Authorities are investigating the possibility that the blast was carried out as a suicide attack, potentially triggered by panic following the arrests of Mohammad's associates.