A powerful explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort has shaken the country. In one of the capital’s high-security zones, a car blast killed at least 8 people and injured more than 20. Eyewitnesses recounted the horrors of the evening—panic, chaos, people running for safety.
The impact of the explosion was so strong that street lights were shattered, and several vehicles were damaged on the road leading to the Red Fort.
Since Monday evening, several states have been put on high alert, while raids are underway at multiple locations across Delhi. Strict vigil is being maintained at the airport, railway stations and bus terminals.
On Tuesday, police registered an FIR under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosives Act, dealing with the punishment and conspiracy of a terror attack.
Amit Shah chairs security meeting
To take stock of the invesgation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a high-level security review meeting with Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director, Intelligence Bureau, Tapan Deka, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha and NIA's Director General, Sadanand Vasant on Tuesday morning. DGP of Jammu and Kashmir Nalin Prabhat also attended the meeting virtually.
Attacker linked to Faridabad raids
Reportedly, Umar Mohammad, a Pulwama resident and a doctor, was allegedly driving the Hyundai i20 car that was used in the explosion near the parking area of the Red Fort Metro Station.
Police sources said the first picture of the man driving the car that exploded near the Red Fort emerged in CCTV footage of the area.
He allegedly had links to the terror module in Faridabad, where a huge cache of explosives was seized.
Preliminary findings by police suggest that ammonium nitrate, fuel oil and detonators may have been used in the Red Fort blast, the same materials that were recovered from Faridabad.
