Delhi Red Fort Attack: Ammonium Nitrate Found in Abandoned Ford EcoSport Linked to Explosion

Traces of ammonium nitrate were found inside the EcoSport.

New Delhi:

The red-colored Ford EcoSport connected to Monday's explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi was being utilized to transport ammonium nitrate to various locations, according to police sources. The EcoSport, displaying a Delhi number plate DL10CK0458, was discovered abandoned at a plot in Khandavali village.

The vehicle was registered under Dr. Umar Mohammad's name, who was identified as the suicide bomber in the explosion. The car's registration was processed through the Rajouri Garden Authority in Delhi and is approximately eight years old.

Forensic examination confirmed that traces of ammonium nitrate were present inside the EcoSport.

Previously, sources informed NDTV that a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team arrived in Faridabad on Wednesday to interrogate Dr. Umar Mohammad's close associates and staff at Al Falah University.

During the questioning, NIA identified an individual very close to Umar who appeared suspicious. This person, identified as Faheem, served as Umar's driver and assistant.

Faheem disclosed that the red EcoSport was parked at his sister's residence in Khandavali village. Following this revelation, police and NIA officials reached the village, where they located the vehicle parked in a plot.

Anticipating potential danger, authorities summoned a bomb defusal squad and the National Security Guard (NSG) to the scene. A comprehensive search of the vehicle, which included the use of sniffer dogs, uncovered evidence.

Sources revealed to NDTV that the plot where the car was found belonged to a deceased individual named Wahid, though Faheem's sister and brother-in-law were residing there.

A total of four vehicles have been connected to Monday's explosion near the Red Fort, which resulted in 13 fatalities and numerous injuries.

The vehicle used in the explosion was a white Hyundai i20. The second vehicle, a Maruti Dzire, belonged to Dr. Shaheen Saeed and was operated by Dr. Muzammil Shakeel, both accused in the explosion case.

The Ford EcoSport is the third vehicle linked to the explosion, while the fourth is a Maruti Brezza, also owned by Dr. Shaheen Saeed. It was parked at Al Falah University.

According to a source familiar with the developments who spoke to PTI news agency, the Brezza is suspected to have been used by the accused for reconnaissance or escape purposes.