Fresh details have surfaced in the ongoing probe into the car explosion that rocked the area near Delhi’s historic Red Fort last week. Investigators have found that the white Hyundai i20 involved in the blast had been parked at a private medical college in Faridabad for almost 12 days before it was brought to Delhi.
The blast, which occurred near the Red Fort Metro Station gate on November 10 evening, has prompted a full-scale investigation by national security agencies. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has now taken over the case amid growing suspicion that the explosion may be linked to a larger terror module operating across Delhi, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Vehicle traced to Faridabad campus
Sources reveal that the car, registered in Haryana, was purchased on October 29 by one of the suspects, believed to be a doctor associated with a medical institution in Faridabad. CCTV footage shows the vehicle parked on the college premises for nearly two weeks. Investigators suspect the car was used to store or assemble the explosive material before it was moved to Delhi.
On the day of the blast, the vehicle entered the capital and was parked close to Red Fort in the evening hours. Around 6:52 PM, a low-intensity explosion occurred inside the car, damaging the vehicle but avoiding large-scale casualties. Experts believe the device was incomplete or may have detonated accidentally before it could be fully activated.
Terror links under the scanner
In follow-up raids, security agencies seized around 2,900 kilograms of explosive precursors, assault rifles, and digital devices from multiple locations in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir. Preliminary findings suggest the suspects may have been influenced by radical ideologies and operated under the guidance of a handler based abroad.
Investigators are examining whether the suspects – including two doctors and a student – were part of an emerging “white-collar” terror module that used academic and medical setups as covers to evade detection.
Accidental blast, not a planned strike
Officials have indicated that the explosion might have occurred due to a technical error while handling the Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Initial analysis suggests the attackers panicked following the arrest of some associates and attempted to relocate the explosive material, leading to an unintended detonation.
Security tightened across NCR
Following the incident, security arrangements around key installations in Delhi have been intensified. The NIA and Delhi Police’s Special Cell are coordinating with intelligence agencies to identify the remaining members of the network and trace the source of funding.
Authorities have also directed enhanced checks at parking lots, educational institutions, and hospitals to prevent misuse of such premises by radical elements.
A reminder of evolving threats
The Red Fort blast has once again highlighted the changing face of terrorism in India – where educated professionals and high-skill operatives are being targeted for recruitment by extremist networks. While the incomplete device prevented a larger tragedy, officials caution that similar modules may still be active.
The NIA is expected to file a detailed report in the coming days, outlining the suspected chain of events, foreign links, and materials used in the failed attack.
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