New Delhi: More than a day after the deadly blast that rocked the capital, Delhi is on high alert as investigators piece together the chain of events that led to the blast near the Red Fort that killed at least 12 people and injured several others. The slow-moving Hyundai i20 exploded at a traffic signal on Subhash Marg, near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro station, setting fire to nearby vehicles and spreading panic in the historic quarter. Officials said the collision was so severe that a mutilated body was recovered from the mangled remains of the car.The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formally taken over the case after a review headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. According to PTI, the blast occurred hours after the arrest of eight people. Faridabad And 2,900 kg of explosives were seized from what officials described as a “white-collar” interstate terrorist module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. Initial security assessment suggests that the blast may have been accidental or carried out in panic as the terror network came under pressure following extensive raids.The national capital has been put on high alert as investigators search for answers. CCTV review teams have been deployed at the Red Fort and surrounding corridors, while the city’s airports, bus terminals and railway stations have been placed under heavy security. Meanwhile, distressed families from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and other states gathered at the LNJP hospital, anxiously awaiting identification of bodies and news of missing relatives.
NIA took over the investigation; Center has called it a terror related explosion
According to PTI, the investigation has been officially transferred to the National Investigation Agency following review meetings with Home Minister Amit Shah. The NIA will investigate all aspects, including the material used, possible operators, links to the busted Faridabad module and whether the blast was deliberate or accidental. Delhi Police has also registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Act. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in Thimphu, said the agencies would “get to the bottom of the conspiracy” and the culprits “will not be spared”. ANI reported that Home Minister Amit Shah has directed agencies to search for everyone involved in this. Forensic science laboratory teams are matching samples of the car with the recovered body parts, while several police teams are filtering CCTV footage from the Red Fort and surrounding routes to identify the masked man seen driving the vehicle.
CM Rekha Gupta announced compensation
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 5 lakh for those permanently disabled or seriously injured. He said the government will ensure quality treatment and stands strongly with the affected families. Shah has ordered NIA to submit its report as soon as possible. Security in Delhi has been dramatically tightened, with barricades and checks being carried out at border entry points. Traffic police issued advisories and diversions near the Red Fort, also urging commuters to avoid the area.
Kumar Nabi suspected of being the driver; DNA samples were taken
According to news agency PTI, investigators have focused on Dr Omar Nabi, a doctor from Lethpora in Pulwama, who is believed to have been driving the car during the blast. It is suspected that he is one of the deceased, and Jammu and Kashmir Police have collected a DNA sample from his mother to confirm the identity. Umar is accused of carrying ammonium nitrate-based explosives when the vehicle exploded. Officials told PTI that he may have panicked after the Faridabad terror module was busted and may have detonated the blast prematurely. Umar worked as a faculty member in Faridabad and was reportedly an introvert who kept to himself. Investigators suspect that he was on the run after getting information about his arrest in Faridabad and waited for about three hours at the Sunehri Masjid parking area before heading towards the Red Fort.
‘White collar’ terrorist module and 2,900 kg of explosives
The blast occurred just hours after security agencies arrested eight people, including three doctors, and seized 2,900 kg of bomb-making material. Officials described the network as a “white-collar” module spread across Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. Investigators recovered 360 kg of ammonium nitrate from Al Falah University in Faridabad alone. The module reportedly stored explosives in several states, raising concerns over how a sophisticated network managed to acquire and hide such quantities of explosives. The agencies said the pan-India alert and coordinated action may have forced the suspects to act out of desperation. Initial findings suggest that the IED was not assembled properly; There was no crater and no shrapnel, indicating that the bomb was made prematurely and may have detonated accidentally.
Role of doctors: Those arrested include Shaheen Saeed and Muzammil Ghani
Those arrested include three doctors, including Dr Muzammil Ghani and Dr Shaheen Saeed, both associated with Al Falah University, PTI reported. Investigators said Shaheen led Jamaat-ul-Mominat – the women’s recruitment wing of Jaish-e-Mohammed – and was allegedly in touch with a handler in Pakistan. PTI reported that Shaheen, originally from Lucknow, was divorced in 2015 and was living alone. Authorities believe he may have been preached at during this period. Her father told reporters that he was unaware of her activities and had only heard about the arrest through the media. Omar, who is also linked to Al Falah, reportedly carried out the car bombing out of fear that he would be caught like the others. PTI reported that a man named Tariq from Pulwama gave him the i20 vehicle and now he has been arrested.
Masked man seen in CCTV; The car waited for three hours before the explosion
CCTV footage shows a masked man driving an i20. Investigators confirmed that the car was parked in the Sunehri Masjid parking lot for about three hours, during which time Omar allegedly checked the internet for updates about the Faridabad arrest. After the blast, the police closed the Red Fort metro station and sealed the surrounding areas. Searches were conducted overnight in hotels and guest houses in Daryaganj and Paharganj. Now all vehicles entering Delhi are being checked. At least four people were detained for questioning in Kashmir; The two have been taken for joint questioning by Delhi Police, NIA and intelligence agencies.
Victims: Everyday workers waiting at LNJP hospital with family
Heartbreaking scenes unfolded at LNJP Hospital, where families struggled to identify bodies or trace missing relatives. Among those killed was Dinesh Mishra, 32, of Shravasti, who worked at a printing press in Delhi. His father told PTI that Dinesh had returned home for Diwali and worked hard to educate his children. Another victim, Ashok Kumar of Amroha and Amar Kataria, a Delhi resident, were identified, while the other bodies are unidentified and are believed to be aged between 28 and 58. At least 20 people were injured; 12 from Delhi and the rest from states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. A hospital staffer told PTI that the scenes were “horrific”, with ambulances coming throughout the night and family members pleading for information.
Explosive Materials: Ammonium Nitrate, Detonator, Fuel Oil
Preliminary forensic findings suggest that ammonium nitrate, fuel oil and detonators were used in the blast. The lack of shrapnel and absence of pit indicate a faulty assembly or premature trigger. Officials told PTI that suicide car attacks usually involve ramming the targets, but this vehicle was driving slowly at a traffic signal. Investigators are looking into whether the IED was triggered manually or accidentally as Umar fled after his arrest in Faridabad. The agencies are also probing the storage sites in Delhi-NCR and Kashmir and how the module acquired the explosive material despite surveillance. Multiple raid teams continue to recover digital devices, communication logs and CCTV footage.
Faridabad connection and Al Falah University under investigation
Al Falah University of Faridabad is at the center of the investigation. Two of the arrested doctors worked there, and 360 kilograms of ammonium nitrate was recovered from premises attached to the complex. Investigators are looking into whether the university was used for recruitment, logistics or storage.
Rajdhani on alert
Delhi is on high alert after the blast and security has been increased at airports, railway stations and interstate bus terminals. CCTV scanning teams have been spread across Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Sunehri Masjid and surrounding roads. Police are checking private and commercial vehicles, interrogating suspicious travelers and monitoring hotel bookings. The Red Fort has been cordoned off and metro entry is closed. The investigators are focusing on cracking the communication links, funding trails and encrypted channels used by the module, while the agencies are continuing inquiries in Kashmir and Delhi.(with inputs from agencies)
