NIA Takes Over Probe in Delhi Car Bomb Blast Near Red Fort

The Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the investigation into the devastating car blast that occurred near the Red Fort in Delhi.

The terrorist attack, which involved detonating a car near the Red Fort in the national capital yesterday, November 10th, has tragically claimed the lives of 14 people, with over 20 others hospitalised with serious injuries.

The timing of this incident is particularly alarming as it happened on the same day that a massive 2,900 kilograms of explosives were recovered in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana. Immediately following the blast, teams from the Delhi Police, NSG, and NIA officials rushed to the scene to conduct an inspection.

Following the Ministry of Home Affairs' directive, NIA officials have taken charge of the case and commenced their investigation at the site.

While authorities have yet to officially confirm if the incident was an accident or an act of terrorism, the possibility of a terror attack is highly suspected, especially since such extensive damage from a small car explosion is considered highly improbable.

Criminal investigation circles suggest that the driver of the exploded Hyundai i20 car, identified as Mohammed Umar, a practising doctor, and his associates carried out the blast using Ammonium Nitrate and fuel oil. The Delhi Police have registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosive Substances Act, and various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Security agencies currently suspect the incident to be a suicide attack. The police have arrested the car's registered owner, Nadeem Khan from Haryana, and its former owner, Mohammed Salman from Gurugram. Further investigation has revealed potential links to a terrorist organisation operating out of Faridabad.

The police also arrested another individual, Tariq, from Pulwama, who was reportedly involved in purchasing the car. Information is now circulating that as many as five doctors may have been involved in the bomb plot.

The discovery of 2,900 kilograms of explosives by a doctor in Kashmir shortly before the blast has strengthened suspicions of a link between the two incidents.

The blast occurred near the entrance of the Red Fort Metro Station around 6:50 PM. The explosion was so powerful that it destroyed six nearby cars, two e-rickshaws, and one auto-rickshaw. Eyewitnesses reported that human body parts were scattered across the road.

The victims identified so far include common people from low-income families: Mohsin from Meerut, bus conductor Ashok Kumar and Lokesh from Amroha, Dinesh Mishra from Shravasti, a 22-year-old Uber driver named Pankaj, and Amar Kataria. The family of e-rickshaw driver Mohammed Juman has also filed a missing person complaint. Due to the severity of the blast, several bodies are badly mutilated and remain unidentified.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at an event during his trip to Bhutan, addressed the bomb blast, stating he came with a heavy heart. He condemned the atrocious incident near the Red Fort, emphasising that it has profoundly affected everyone.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the nation that he is in constant touch with all agencies investigating the incident. "We will not spare the conspirators," he warned, vowing that the criminals behind the plot will be found soon.