The explosion that occurred near the Red Fort in Delhi is under intense investigation, with probe agencies exploring all angles, including the possibility of a terror attack. The incident, which took place around 6:52 PM near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, involved a car explosion that resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries.
Initial findings suggest that the explosion may not have been a carefully planned operation but rather triggered by panic. Several factors have led investigators to this hypothesis. Unlike typical suicide car attacks, the vehicle was moving at the time of the blast and did not ram into any specific target. Furthermore, the explosion did not create a crater, and investigators found no shrapnel or projectiles at the site, indicating that the explosive device was not fully developed. The absence of these elements suggests that the attacker may have detonated the device prematurely.
Security agencies have been conducting raids across multiple locations linked to terror networks, recovering significant quantities of explosives in Faridabad, Saharanpur, Pulwama, and other areas. Investigators believe that these coordinated crackdowns might have put the suspect under pressure, leading to a hasty and unplanned detonation. The suspect's actions didn't follow the pattern of a suicide car attack, as there was no attempt to directly collide with a target.
The type of explosive used is also under scrutiny. Initial assessments suggest that the explosion's magnitude exceeds what a typical CNG blast could cause, leading investigators to suspect a high-intensity explosive or an IED-like device. However, the absence of a crater and shrapnel raises questions about the device's composition and whether it was properly constructed. Agency sources revealed that the bomb was premature and not fully developed.
The vehicle, a Hyundai i20, entered the parking area near the Red Fort complex at 3:19 PM and remained there for approximately three hours. It exited the parking area at 6:22 PM and moved toward the Red Fort, where the explosion occurred just 24 minutes later. Delhi Police's initial investigation suggested the explosion may have been a "fidayeen" attack. The car was registered in Haryana, and forensic teams are working to verify the owner's identity.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called for a swift submission of the investigation report by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He stated that all angles are being considered, including mechanical failure, sabotage, or a planned act of terror. The Prime Minister is also monitoring the developments closely.
While the investigation is ongoing, the current evidence points towards a scenario where the attacker panicked and prematurely triggered the explosion. The absence of a crater, the moving vehicle, and the lack of shrapnel, combined with the pressure from ongoing security operations, suggest a deviation from a planned terror attack. Authorities are exploring possible terror links and a high alert has been sounded across the region.
