NIA takes over Red Fort blast case

New Delhi, Nov 11: As the investigations revealed that a doctor from South Kashmir’s Pulwama district was driving the explosive laden car that killed more than 10 persons near Red Fort in Delhi on Monday evening, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) handed over the case to National Investigation Agency for probe.
According to the details available, the case was given to NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to murder and conspiracy.
An official said that the investigators have traced the car, a white Hyundai i20, to Dr Umar Mohammad, a Pulwama-based medical professional. “Preliminary findings suggest that Dr. Umar drove the vehicle laden with Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) and detonators before it exploded near the Red Fort,” he added.
“His remains are believed to be among those recovered from the site. DNA samples from his family were collected in Pulwama to confirm his identity,” the official said.
Pertinently, a few days before the blast, J&K, Haryana and UP Police had recovered a major cache of explosives, nearly 2,900 kg during a raid in Faridabad. Two Kashmiri-origin doctors were detained from Al Falah University in connection with that operation. “Dr Umar was associated with those arrested and may have gone ahead with the attack fearing imminent arrest,” said an official.
Security agencies have detained another doctor, Dr Sajad Ahmad Malla from Pulwama, for questioning. Several others affiliated with Al Falah University have also been taken into custody.
Searches continued in multiple areas of Delhi, Faridabad, and Jammu & Kashmir. Investigators said the group planned a larger series of strikes that were disrupted by the earlier seizures in Haryana.
Forensic teams confirmed the use of high-intensity explosives similar to those found in Faridabad. CCTV footage shows the car entering Delhi from Badarpur and circulating around the Red Fort before the explosion around 6:50 PM. Police suspect a suicide-style operation designed to cause maximum damage.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in Bhutan, said the country stands with the victims and that the perpetrators “will not be spared.” (KNO)