National Capital Reels Under Deadly Blast, Security Heightened
New Delhi remains on high alert more than 24 hours after a devastating explosion rocked the historic Red Fort area, claiming at least 12 lives and leaving several others injured. The blast occurred when a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car erupted at a traffic signal on Subhash Marg, close to Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, setting nearby vehicles ablaze and spreading panic throughout the historic quarter.
NIA Takes Over Investigation as Terror Links Emerge
The National Investigation Agency has formally taken over the case following review meetings chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The investigation transfer comes hours after security agencies arrested eight people in Faridabad and seized a massive 2,900 kg of explosives from what officials describe as a sophisticated interstate terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind.
Preliminary security assessments suggest the explosion might have been accidental or triggered under panic as the terror network came under pressure following widespread raids across multiple locations.
Key Suspect Identified as Doctor from Pulwama
Investigators have zeroed in on Dr Umar Nabi from Lethpora in Pulwama as the suspected driver of the explosive-laden vehicle. Authorities believe he might be among the deceased, and Jammu & Kashmir Police have collected DNA samples from his mother for identification confirmation.
According to officials speaking to PTI, Umar was allegedly carrying ammonium nitrate-based explosives when the vehicle detonated. He worked as a faculty member in Faridabad and had reportedly been an introvert who kept to himself. Investigators suspect he panicked after learning about the Faridabad arrests and waited for nearly three hours in the Sunehri Masjid parking area before driving toward Red Fort.
White-Collar Terror Module Uncovered
The blast occurred just hours after security agencies dismantled what they term a white-collar terror module spanning Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Among the eight arrested were three doctors, including Dr Muzammil Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Sayeed, both linked to Al Falah University in Faridabad.
Investigators recovered 360 kg of ammonium nitrate from Al Falah University premises alone, raising serious concerns about how such sophisticated networks managed to acquire and hide massive quantities of explosive materials across multiple states.
Security Measures Intensified Across Delhi
Following the blast, Delhi has witnessed unprecedented security measures. Heavy security deployment now covers airports, bus terminals, and railway stations across the national capital. The Red Fort Metro Station remains shut, and surrounding areas continue to be sealed as investigation teams work round the clock.
CCTV review teams have been deployed across Red Fort and adjoining corridors, while police conduct overnight searches at hotels and guest houses in Daryaganj and Paharganj. All vehicles entering Delhi are being thoroughly checked at border entry points.
Victims Include Everyday Workers, Families Devastated
Heartbreaking scenes unfolded at LNJP Hospital where distraught families from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and other states gathered, waiting anxiously for identification of bodies and news of missing relatives. Among those killed was 32-year-old Dinesh Mishra from Shravasti, who worked at a printing press in Delhi.
His father told PTI that Dinesh had recently returned home for Diwali celebrations and worked tirelessly to educate his children. Other victims include Ashok Kumar from Amroha and Delhi resident Amar Kataria, while several bodies remain unidentified, believed to be aged between 28 and 58 years.
At least 20 people sustained injuries in the blast, with 12 from Delhi and others from states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. A hospital worker described the scenes as gruesome, with ambulances arriving through the night and family members pleading for information about their loved ones.
Compensation Announced for Victims
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia for families of those killed and Rs 5 lakh for those permanently disabled or seriously injured. She assured that the government would ensure quality treatment and stood firmly with affected families during this difficult time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking from Thimphu, assured that agencies would get to the bottom of the conspiracy and that perpetrators would not be spared. Home Minister Amit Shah has instructed agencies to hunt down every individual involved in the planning and execution of the attack.
Forensic Analysis Points to Premature Detonation
Preliminary forensic findings suggest the explosive device contained ammonium nitrate, fuel oil, and detonators. The absence of shrapnel and lack of a crater indicate flawed assembly or premature triggering of the device.
Officials noted that typical suicide car attacks involve ramming targets, but this vehicle was moving slowly at a traffic signal when it detonated. Investigators are examining whether the IED was triggered manually or accidentally as Umar fled following the Faridabad arrests.
Multiple raiding teams continue to recover digital devices, communication logs, and CCTV footage as the investigation progresses. Security agencies are also probing storage sites across Delhi-NCR and Kashmir to understand how the module acquired explosive material despite surveillance measures.
