The investigation into the high-intensity car blast near the Red Fort in New Delhi has escalated significantly with the emergence of crucial CCTV footage and the identification of the prime suspect.
The blast, which ripped through a Hyundai i20 on Netaji Subhash Marg on Monday evening, killed at least eight people and injured over 20 others. In response, the Delhi Police have registered an FIR under the anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the Explosives Act.
Key Suspect Identified as ‘Dr. Mohammad Umar’
The masked man seen driving the ill-fated Hyundai i20 (HR26CE7674) in fresh CCTV visuals has reportedly been identified by intelligence sources as Dr. Mohammad Umar.
- Suspected Link: Umar is believed to be an absconding terrorist and a key member of a Faridabad-based terror module that was recently busted by security agencies.
- Motive Theory: Investigators suspect that Umar, along with his accomplices, may have planned the explosion. Sources suggest he executed the blast in a “fidayeen-style” or suicide attack after the arrest of his associate, Dr. Muzammil Shakeel, and the seizure of nearly 2,900 kg of explosive materials in Faridabad. The theory is that Umar panicked, believing the module’s cover was blown.
- Occupant Status: Police sources now believe that only Umar was inside the car at the time of the explosion, and a DNA test will be conducted on the charred body recovered from the car to confirm his identity.
CCTV Footage and Car’s Movement Mapped
CCTV footage has been instrumental in tracing the vehicle’s final movements and is being analyzed by multiple teams from the Special Cell, Crime Branch, and NIA:
- Parking Lot: The white Hyundai i20 was captured entering a parking lot near the Sunehri Masjid (close to the Red Fort) at 3:19 pm and exiting around 6:48 pm, mere minutes before the explosion at approximately 6:52 pm. The car remained parked for over three hours.
- Route Traced: Investigators are examining over 100 CCTV clips, including from nearby toll plazas, to establish the car’s full route. The car was earlier seen in the Daryaganj market area and near Sunehri Masjid around 4:00 pm.
Focus on Vehicle Ownership and Explosives
The probe continues to focus on two major areas: the illicit transfer of the vehicle and the nature of the explosive used.
- Pulwama Link: The car’s ownership has been traced through multiple hands—from a registered owner in Gurugram to a used car dealer in Faridabad—before it was eventually sold to a man named Tariq, who is a resident of Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. Tariq is currently in custody for questioning.
- Explosive Type: While initial suspicion of a CNG cylinder has been ruled out, investigators are exploring the possibility of a high-intensity explosive device. An officer suggested the use of ammonia gel or similar explosives. The powerful nature of the blast, which flung debris up to 300 meters and shattered windows, strongly points towards a terror angle, with forensic teams currently analyzing residue samples.