A massive explosion took place in a Hyundai i20 car near Gate No. 1 of Delhi’s Red Fort metro station at around 6:50 pm on Monday, when the slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light. Nine people were killed in the blast, and several others were seriously injured and taken to hospitals. Investigating agencies have used the anti-terror law, UAPA, in the FIR, suspecting it was a planned terror attack. Major cities including Delhi and Mumbai, along with several states, are on high alert.
Delhi Red Fort Blast: Important developments so far:
A Hyundai i20 car exploded near the Red Fort on Monday evening, killing nine people and injuring 20 others. Delhi Police has registered an FIR under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act. Dr. Umar Mohammad, a resident of Pulwama, who is allegedly associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, is suspected to have driven the car that exploded. Police are investigating whether it was a suicide bombing or part of a larger terror plan.
The investigation has indicated a link between the Delhi blasts and the Faridabad terror module, where 2,900 kg of explosives were seized. Initial forensic analysis has indicated the use of ammonium nitrate, fuel oil and a detonator in the blast. Raids are being carried out at multiple locations across Delhi and Faridabad as part of the investigation.
Delhi has been put on high alert, with intense searches being carried out at airports, metro stations, railway stations and border crossings. Mumbai and Kolkata have also been put on high alert, with Kolkata Police activating all units and conducting security sweeps across the city. The blasts have forced authorities in several states including Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu to issue warnings or beef up security. Apart from these states, several cities including Hyderabad, Dehradun and Puri have also been put on high alert.
CCTV footage shows a masked suspect driving the car, which was reportedly parked near the blast site for three hours before the blast.
Uttarakhand on high alert:
After the car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, Uttarakhand has been put on high alert. The state police has tightened security at all borders, sensitive areas and crowded places including markets, religious places, bus terminals, railway stations and shopping malls.
District officials have been directed to increase patrolling, monitor suspicious activities and keep a close watch on social media. Cheetah mobile units, patrol vehicles, bomb disposal teams and dog teams have been deployed to conduct thorough inspections of vulnerable areas.