In a significant development in the high-intensity explosion case outside Delhi's historic Red Fort, investigators have traced the vehicle used in the blast to Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. The explosive incident that shook the capital on Monday evening claimed at least eight lives and left several injured.
Car Trail Leads to Pulwama District
According to sources cited by news agency ANI, the initial probe by Delhi Police has established that the Hyundai i20 car involved in the blast was allegedly purchased by a resident of Pulwama. This revelation has shifted the investigation's focus toward establishing the complete trail of the vehicle and its occupants.
The police have obtained crucial CCTV footage showing the suspect's car entering and exiting the parking area near the Red Fort. The footage clearly indicates that the suspect was alone at the time of the incident, providing important clues about the modus operandi.
Massive Investigation Underway
Following the explosion, Delhi Police launched an extensive night-long search operation across multiple locations including Paharganj and Daryaganj. During these raids, hotel registers were thoroughly examined, leading to four individuals being taken into custody for questioning.
Investigators are currently tracing the vehicle's route toward Daryaganj while examining more than 100 CCTV clips from various locations, including nearby toll plazas. The meticulous review of footage covers multiple routes from the Badarpur border to the Red Fort's Sunheri Masjid parking area and from the Outer Ring Road to the Kashmere Gate-Red Fort route.
The investigation has revealed that the i20 car had entered Delhi from Haryana via the Badarpur border, adding another dimension to the case. Nearly 200 police personnel have been deployed to examine footage across various routes, highlighting the scale of the investigation.
Multiple Suspects Under Scrutiny
Based on evidence gathered from CCTV footage from different locations, approximately 13 people are currently under scrutiny and being questioned by authorities. There are strong indications that a person linked to the Faridabad module was travelling in the i20 car, though the identity of a deceased individual will only be confirmed after DNA testing.
This development comes in the wake of a joint operation by Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana Police that led to the recovery of 360 kg of explosive material and ammunition from Faridabad in Haryana. During this operation, two individuals identified as Dr Muzammil and Aadil Rather were arrested, suggesting possible connections to larger networks.
The Delhi Police have registered a case under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Kotwali Police Station. Specifically, sections 16 and 18 of UAPA have been invoked, indicating the serious nature of the incident and the potential terror links being investigated.
