Car linked to Red Fort blast registered in Haryana, say police

The Hyundai i20 car that exploded near Delhi’s Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing nine people, was registered to a Haryana resident named Md Salman. He is currently under police custody. Salman had sold his car to a person named Devendra in Okhla, police said. Later, the vehicle was again sold to someone in Ambala. Three people were reportedly inside the vehicle when the blast occurred.

Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha confirmed that the explosion happened while the car was halted at a traffic signal. Golcha said no pellets or puncture wounds were found on the injured, which is “unusual in a bomb blast,” adding that all possible angles are being investigated.

Panic gripped the area as several vehicles caught fire, with body parts scattered around the site. Ten fire tenders were rushed in, and the blaze was brought under control by 7.29 pm. Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were briefed on the situation, with central agencies including the NIA, NSG, and FSL joining the probe. CCTV footage and mobile data are being examined to trace the vehicle’s route and identify suspects.

Six cars, two e-rickshaws, and one autorickshaw were destroyed in the explosion, which was powerful enough to shatter nearby windows and was heard several kilometres away. Chandni Chowk market, located close to the site, will remain closed on Tuesday.
(With PTI inputs)