New details have emerged regarding the Delhi car blast, revealing a meticulously planned series of attacks orchestrated by eight suspects operating in coordinated teams across multiple cities. The investigation, now led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), indicates that the group, allegedly linked to a handler based in Turkiye, intended to carry out multiple bombings using vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (IEDs), followed by assaults with rifles.
The explosion near the Red Fort on Monday, November 10th, which resulted in nine fatalities and over 20 injuries, is now considered a "heinous terrorist incident" by the Indian government. The Delhi Police have invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), India's primary anti-terrorism law, granting investigators broader powers to detain suspects.
Sources within the security establishment suggest the suspects planned a "spectacular terror attack". The suspects had procured three vehicles for their operation: a Hyundai i20, a red Ford EcoSport, and a Brezza. The i20 was the vehicle used in the Red Fort blast. Authorities had issued a "be on the lookout" (BOLO) notice for the other two cars, suggesting they may contain further explosives. On Wednesday, the red Ford EcoSport, bearing a Delhi registration number ending in 0458, was located and seized in Faridabad.
Umar Un Nabi has been identified as the bomber. A DNA test confirmed that Nabi was the driver of the white Hyundai i20 that exploded near Gate No. 1 of the Lal Qila Metro Station. DNA samples collected from Dr. Umar's family members have been sent to Delhi.
The investigation has uncovered a wider network, leading to the arrest of eight individuals, including three doctors, and the seizure of a substantial quantity of explosives and weaponry from various locations in Haryana. It was reported that 2,900 kg of explosives and arms were seized from multiple locations in Haryana. Mujammil Shakeel, a doctor from Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, rented the houses where the explosives were found.
In addition to Delhi, initial investigations suggest that Ayodhya was also a target. Security agencies are exploring the possibility of an attack coinciding with the hoisting of a saffron flag atop the Ram temple on November 25th.
A car dealer based in Faridabad has been detained for questioning regarding the Red Fort blast. The car dealer is suspected of facilitating the sale of the Hyundai i20 used in the blast. Authorities are currently tracing the ownership of the i20 to determine how it reached the suspects.
The explosives used in the blast are believed to be a mixture of ammonium nitrate and RDX, though it remains unconfirmed if this was the specific composition of the explosive in the car. The plot was allegedly conceived in Turkiye back in 2022.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, upon returning from his visit to Bhutan, met with victims of the blast at LNJP Hospital, assuring them that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
