New Delhi: The Delhi Police’s preliminary investigation into the high-intensity explosion outside the Red Fort has revealed a possible connection to Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said on Tuesday.
According to initial findings, the i20 car in which the explosion occurred was allegedly purchased by a resident of Pulwama. CCTV footage obtained by the police shows the suspect’s vehicle entering and exiting the parking area near the Red Fort shortly before the blast. The footage indicates that the suspect was alone at the time, officials said.
Investigators are now tracing the car’s movement towards Daryaganj, with over 100 CCTV clips, including those from nearby toll plazas, being analysed to map the vehicle’s complete route. Nearly 200 police personnel have been deployed to examine footage from key locations, including Badarpur border, Outer Ring Road, Kashmere Gate, and the Red Fort–Sunheri Masjid area.
Police sources revealed that the i20 had entered Delhi from Haryana via Badarpur, and that around 13 individuals are currently under scrutiny and being questioned. One of them is suspected to have ties to the Faridabad module, while the identity of a deceased individual linked to the car will be confirmed after DNA testing.
Following the blast, Delhi Police launched an extensive night-long search operation across hotels in Paharganj, Daryaganj, and nearby areas, checking hotel registers and detaining four persons for questioning.
At least eight people were killed and several others injured in the explosion outside the Red Fort on Monday evening.
The blast investigation also coincides with a recent joint operation by Jammu and Kashmir Police and Haryana Police, which led to the recovery of 360 kg of explosives and ammunition from Faridabad and the arrest of two individuals — Dr. Muzammil and Aadil Rather — suspected to have links to terror modules.
Commenting on the probe, Raja Banthia, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North), said,
“As of now, the investigation is ongoing. We cannot comment on anything conclusively. The FSL team is collecting explosive traces, and the crime scene is under examination.”
Delhi Police have registered a case under Sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with relevant provisions of the Explosives Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Kotwali Police Station.
The investigation is continuing with the support of central agencies to trace the broader network behind the attack.
