Delhi Red Fort blast: Focus on how suspects procured huge explosives cache

Did car driver die in Delhi blast? Mother's DNA to confirm

CCTV footage from the site of the car explosion near Red Fort Metro Station shows a “masked man” driving the vehicle alone. Investigations suggest the suspected driver, identified as 74-year-old Dr Umar Nabi from Pulwama, may have carried explosives in the car. DNA samples have been collected from his mother for confirmation of his identity.

Authorities say the vehicle, a Hyundai i20, was parked for about three hours near the blast site. Raids are underway in multiple locations across Delhi and Kashmir, and security has been tightened across the capital.

Massive checking in Kashmir Valley

The police on Tuesday launched extensive vehicle checking across the valley.

Checks were carried out on national highways and other important arterial roads in Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Baramulla, Ganderbal, and Shopian districts of the valley, a police spokesperson said.

Temporary checkpoints were established at strategic locations to monitor the movement of suspicious persons and vehicles, he said.

Several vehicles were seized due to a lack of valid documents during the checks, the spokesperson said.

How did suspects manage to source a huge quantity of ammonium nitrate?

Security agencies are focusing on how a sophisticated "white-collar" terror module managed to acquire and store a huge quantity of explosives, including ammonium nitrate, the substance suspected to have been used in Monday's deadly blast. 

The attack has once again highlighted the ease with which restricted chemicals can be weaponised, with officials trying to trace the logistics and procurement network of the recently busted inter-state terror cell.

Ammonium nitrate is a dual-use chemical, widely valued as a popular nitrogen fertiliser and used extensively in the construction sector for controlled blasting in stone quarries.

However, due to its volatile nature when combined with other chemicals, including potassium chlorate and sulphur, it became a favourite component for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used by terror groups. It is also mixed with fuel oil that results in Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil Explosive (ANFO), which causes immediate fire.

The chemical was also used alongside RDX in the 2019 Lethpora (Pulwama) attack, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel. The car bomb attack was carried out by banned Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit.

Earlier, the chemical was used by banned Indian Mujahideen terror outfit in various attacks in Mumbai and the national capital during 2000-2011.

Concerned over its frequent use by terror groups in making bombs, the government in 2011 declared fertilisers having more than 45 per cent of Ammonium Nitrate as an explosive substance.

"... the central government hereby declares that Ammonium Nitrate or any combination containing more than 45 per cent of Ammonium Nitrate by weight, including emulsions, suspensions, melts or gels, shall be deemed to be an explosive," a gazette notification of theDepartment of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) had said in 2011.

In 2015, the government further tightened the norms for import and transportation of Ammonium Nitrate, misused for terror activities, and ordered that its shipments will be allowed in "bagged form only" and its movement within the country must be accompanied by armed guards with GPS vehicles.

DK Shivakumar urges Centre to ensure perpetrators of Delhi blast are brought to justice

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday (November 11) urged the central government to ensure that the perpetrators behind the blast, near the Red Fort in Delhi that left 12 people dead, are brought to justice.

He also asserted that the country needs to be "careful" about terror activities.

Not willing to indulge in any political blame game in connection with the blast, for now, he said, this is not the time for it and pitched for measures across the country to ensure peace and that the lives of people are protected.

"We should be careful about the country's unity, integrity, peace, and terror activities. Whether the blast is in Delhi or elsewhere, we should be careful. In Karnataka, the Home Minister (G Parameshwara) is reviewing (the security measures). The Chief Minister (Siddarmaiah) has also given the order. Measures should be taken across the country to ensure peace," Shivakumar said.

Delhi car blast a matter of grave concern: Sachin Pilot

Reacting to the Delhi blast, Congress leader Sachin Pilot called it a deeply condemnable incident, noting that such an explosion in a sensitive area must be taken very seriously. He urged the government to take strict action against those responsible and expressed concern over the state of law and order in the national capital. Pilot also wished a speedy recovery for the injured and said he hoped the police, investigating agencies, and the Home Ministry would swiftly identify and act against the perpetrators.

Amit Shah vows strict action, instructs officials to identify and punish all involved

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he chaired review meetings on the Delhi car blast with the senior officials. The Home Minister added that he instructed the officials to hunt down each and every culprit behind the incident, adding that everyone involved in this act will face the full wrath of our agencies.

Sri Lankan President expresses solidarity with India, says he is saddened by Delhi blast

“Saddened by news of the explosion in Delhi last evening. Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India. Our thoughts are with all those affected,” Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in a social media post.

A high-intensity explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing at least 12 people and gutting several vehicles, officials said.

US expresses condolences over Delhi blast, says monitoring situation closely

Expressing condolences over the deadly explosion in Delhi, the US said it continues to closely monitor the situation.

"Our hearts are with those affected by the terrible explosion in New Delhi. We continue to closely monitor the situation. Our sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” the State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs said in a post on X Monday.

China expresses condolences over Red Fort blast, wishes speedy recovery to injured

The spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted that their thoughts are with those affected by the fatal explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station. Extending condolences to the families of the victims, the spokesperson also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the blast.

Timely seizure of explosives averted larger tragedy: Sukanta Majumdar

Commenting on the Delhi car blast, Union Minister Dr Sukanta Majumdar said that had the explosive materials not been seized in time, the incident could have been far more devastating. He added that even a single loss of life is unacceptable.

A high-intensity explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening, killing at least 12 people and gutting several vehicles, officials said.