Security has been significantly intensified across multiple prominent locations in India following a devastating explosion that claimed at least thirteen lives near the historic Red Fort in Delhi on Monday, November 10.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The explosion occurred at approximately 7 pm on Monday near the Subhash Marg traffic signal, close to the iconic monument. According to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the blast involved a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car that exploded. In response, Delhi Police have registered a formal case under sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Kotwali Police Station.
Initial Probe Points to Accidental Trigger and Terror Link
Officials from the initial investigation, as reported by PTI on Tuesday, suggest a chilling narrative. The blast may have been "accidentally triggered" while a hastily assembled explosive device was being transported. This development came shortly after authorities busted an inter-state terror module.
Investigators have zeroed in on a key suspect, Umar Nabi, a doctor from Pulwama who was driving the car used in the fatal explosion. Nabi is alleged to have links to the very terror module that was dismantled, with large quantities of explosives recovered, mainly from neighbouring Faridabad in Haryana.
Major Terror Module Busted in Coordinated Operation
The Red Fort blast on a busy evening unfolded hours after a significant counter-terrorism operation. Eight individuals, including three doctors, were arrested, and a staggering 2,900 kg of explosives were seized. This operation uncovered a "white collar" terror module with alleged connections to banned organizations Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, spanning Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Among those arrested were Dr Muzammil Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Sayeed, both associated with the Al-Falah University in Faridabad. From this location, a substantial 360 kg of ammonium nitrate was recovered, highlighting the scale of the planned operations.
Home Minister Amit Shah has stated that "all possibilities" are being explored in the investigation, with multiple central agencies now involved to determine the precise cause and motive behind the explosion. As a precautionary measure, security has been heightened at several key religious sites, including the Shri Badrinath and Shri Kedarnath temple premises, the Sri Jagannath temple, and the Bageshwar Baba Santan Ekta Yatra.
