Detonators suspected in Delhi blast, early probe indicates.
Early police findings indicate a dangerous mix of ammonium nitrate, fuel oil and detonators likely caused the deadly Red Fort blast.
New Delhi was shaken on Monday evening after a deadly blast ripped through a moving car near the Red Fort Metro Station, leaving behind destruction, fear, and unanswered questions. At least nine people were killed and twenty others injured in the horrific explosion that occurred close to one of India’s most iconic landmarks. Flames shot into the air, vehicles caught fire, and shattered glass and debris scattered across the road, plunging the busy area into chaos.
As investigators rushed to the scene and emergency teams battled the blaze, early suspicion fell on what sources describe as a well-planned act with potential terror links.
According to Delhi Police sources, the man allegedly driving the Hyundai i20 that exploded has been linked to the Faridabad terror module, a group already under the scanner after authorities seized a large cache of explosive material, including 360 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, earlier this year. The man, identified by sources as Umar Mohammad, is believed to be a resident of Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir and reportedly worked as a doctor. His connection to the module — and the timing of the explosion — has raised alarm across intelligence circles.
Authorities believe Umar may have been at the center of a major plot intended to cause widespread casualties at a high-profile location. However, a critical question remains unclear — was he killed in the blast, or did he escape moments before?
Investigators from the Delhi Police, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the National Security Guard’s (NSG) elite bomb-disposal squad are jointly working on the probe. Preliminary analysis points to a deadly explosive blend — ammonium nitrate mixed with fuel oil, activated with detonators. The same components were discovered in the Faridabad module case, strengthening the suspicion of a linked conspiracy.
Intelligence agencies are now poring over CCTV footage that captured the vehicle moments before the blast. The videos reportedly show a masked man behind the wheel. Investigators are trying to determine whether this masked individual was Umar or an associate who may still be on the run.
Police are mapping out the car’s movements before the explosion and scanning hundreds of hours of video from the Red Fort vicinity and routes leading into Old Delhi. It has also emerged that the vehicle was parked in a nearby parking lot for nearly three hours before returning near the metro station — a detail investigators say cannot be ignored.
Hotels, guest houses, and lodges in busy areas like Daryaganj and Paharganj were raided overnight in search of possible accomplices or people connected with the car or its driver.
The force of the explosion gutted several vehicles nearby, shattering windows of surrounding buildings and damaging glass panels of the metro station. Ten fire tenders were rushed to control the blaze, which was finally subdued by around 7:29 pm. The horror of the moment is still alive in the memories of survivors — passengers who were inside or around the car screamed for help as the flames rose higher.
Emergency responders pulled out victims as quickly as they could. Among the deceased are Ashok Kumar (34), from Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, and Amar Kataria (35), from Delhi. Others who lost their lives remain unidentified for now, aged between 28 and 58 years, according to police. One severely mutilated body was recovered from the mangled remains of the car — a crucial lead investigators are working on to confirm identity.
Hospitals across central Delhi have been put on alert, while families wait in fear and disbelief for information about their loved ones.
The explosion has triggered a massive security response across the capital. High alert measures have been issued across Delhi’s vulnerable and high-footfall areas — including transport hubs, marketplaces, government establishments, and tourist sites. Police patrols have been intensified, barricades erected, and vehicle checking stepped up.
Officers confirm they are especially probing whether the blast has direct links to the Faridabad terror network. If proven, it would indicate long-term planning and a possible network operating under deep cover.
Top security officials underline that the Red Fort location — steeped in national significance — may have been chosen to deliver a chilling message.
Forensic tests, chemical analyses, and DNA identification procedures are currently underway at accelerated pace. The NIA and NSG are working closely with intelligence units to track every lead — from SIM card dumps to last mobile tower locations, from vehicle number tracing to inter-state movement trails.
People in Delhi are shaken — a regular Monday turned into a scene of terror and grief. The incident has sparked a wave of condolences nationwide, with many expressing outrage and demanding justice for the victims. The attack comes at a time when intelligence inputs have repeatedly warned of destabilizing attempts aimed at major cities.
Police officials stress that while much remains under investigation, one thing is certain — this was not a random accident. The meticulous assembling of explosives, the suspicious parking behavior, the masked driver, and ties to a known terror module all point toward a planned conspiracy.
As Delhi mourns, the nation stands together — determined to ensure that those behind the tragedy are found and held accountable. Investigators continue to push forward, driven by a single promise: the truth will come out, and justice will prevail.