Delhi Red Fort blast: Focus on how suspects procured huge explosives cache
The Centre transferred the blast case to NIA after links emerged connecting the incident to the Faridabad terror module
The probe into the blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, which killed at least 12 people and injured several others, has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday (November 11) transferred the car blast case to the NIA after links emerged connecting the incident to the Faridabad terror module, where a large cache of explosive material was seized, PTI reported.
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.
Meanwhile, 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. (Scroll down and read all details)
NIA takes over the probe
This is a clear indication that the blast, which has so far claimed 12 lives, is being considered by the government as an act of terror, as the NIA is mandated to probe terror cases only. "The blast case has been handed over to the NIA," a source told PTI.
The decision came hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the security situation in the national capital and other parts of the country following the blast.
Shah has called another security review meeting on Tuesday afternoon. He has said top investigating agencies are probing the blast and they will go in-depth into the incident.
The blast took place in 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.
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After the blast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took stock of the situation and expressed condolences over the deaths. No terror outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
The police are scanning CCTV footage to determine the route of the vehicle before the blast occurred. They are questioning locals and asking eyewitnesses to share information about any suspicious activity in the lead-up to the incident.
Mobile dump data is being gathered, and dossiers of suspected terrorists are being scanned.
According to a fire department official, six cars, two e-rickshaws and one autorickshaw were gutted in the fire.
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Live Updates
- 11 Nov 2025 10:30 AM IST
Pappu Yadav questions intelligence failure, demands Amit Shah’s resignation
Congress MP Pappu Yadav launched a sharp attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the Delhi blast, alleging that he should head a “Ministry of Theft and Election Management” instead. He questioned Shah’s accountability, pointing out that the minister had not resigned after the incident. Yadav also criticised the government for fostering hatred and division, claiming that India had lost the trust of its neighbours.
Speaking to ANI, Yadav questioned intelligence failures, citing multiple past attacks from Pulwama to Pahalgam. He said the Delhi blast showed the country was unsafe under Shah’s leadership and that even traditional allies like Russia had distanced themselves.
- 11 Nov 2025 10:25 AM IST
Rapid Action Force deployed at Red Fort blast site; investigation underway
Rapid Action Force (RAF) deployed at the spot near the Red Fort, where a blast took place in a Hyundai i20 car on November 10 at around 7 pm.
Several agencies, including Delhi Police, FSL and others, carry out an investigation at the spot. Nine people died in the blast.
- 11 Nov 2025 10:21 AM IST
Jitan Ram Manjhi calls Delhi blast part of a larger conspiracy, links it to Op Sindoor
Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said the Delhi blast was part of a larger conspiracy, suggesting it was an act of retaliation following Operation Sindoor.
He noted that terrorists had been targeting the national capital for some time and had finally succeeded in carrying out the attack.
Speaking to reporters in Gaya, Manjhi said the incident reflected ongoing attempts by terror groups to seek revenge after the recent counter-terror operations.
- 11 Nov 2025 10:16 AM IST
If Delhi isn’t safe, the central government must be held accountable: Nana Patole
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole condemned the Delhi blast, expressing condolences to the families of the victims and asserting that national security has been compromised under the BJP government. He recalled that Rahul Gandhi had earlier backed the government after the Pahalgam attack, urging a firm response to Pakistan.
Patole accused the BJP of politicising the tragedy under the banner of ‘Operation Sindoor’ and said the central government must now answer for the capital’s security lapse. He said that if the capital, Delhi, is not safe, then the central government must be held accountable, adding that the primary concern for the Congress is is the country’s security.
- 11 Nov 2025 10:04 AM IST
Delhi Police conducts overnight raids at hotels after Red Fort blast; four detained
Delhi Police conducted overnight searches at hotels in Paharganj, Daryaganj, and nearby areas, checking hotel registers as part of the investigation. Four suspects were detained for questioning, ANI reported, quoting police sources.
- 11 Nov 2025 9:57 AM IST
Detonators used in Delhi blast, Pulwama doctor drove the car
The man driving the car that exploded near the Red Fort killing at least nine people, allegedly also had links to the Faridabad terror module where a huge cache of explosive material was seized, Delhi Police sources said on Tuesday (November 11).
According to PTI sources, Umar Mohammad, a Pulwama resident and a doctor, was allegedly driving the Hyundai i20 car that was used in the explosion near the parking area of the Red Fort Metro Station.
Blast linked to Faridabad terror module
Preliminary findings by police suggest ammonium nitrate, fuel oil and detonators may have been used in the blast near the Red Fort that killed at least nine people, police sources said.
A police source said initial findings suggest a possible link between the Delhi blast to the Faridabad terror module where 360 kg of ammonium nitrate was seized. "Final reports are awaited," the source added.
Police said CCTV footage of the car that exploded shows a "masked man" driving the car. Multiple teams have been deployed to scan CCTV from the vicinity of the Red Fort and adjoining routes, they added.
Car belongs to Pulwama man
Hours before the blast in Delhi, eight people, including three doctors, were arrested and 2,900 kg of explosives seized with the uncovering of a “white collar” terror module on Monday.
The 2,900 kg of explosive material recovered in Faridabad includes ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulphur. Of this, 360 kg of inflammable material suspected to be ammonium nitrate and some arms and ammunition were recovered, according to police.
According to a PTI report quoting sources, a man named Tariq from Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, who has been arrested, is said to have given the Hyundai i20 car to Umar Mohammad.
After his fellow doctors who were part of the terror module were arrested, Umar Mohammad allegedly carried out this terror attack fearing that he too might be caught, sources added.
- 11 Nov 2025 9:46 AM IST
Amit Shah to chair high-level security review meeting
Union Home Minister Amit Shah to chair high-level security review meeting at 11 AM following blast near Red Fort, according to a PTI report, quoting sources.
The meeting chaired by the Home Minister will be attended by the Union Home Secretary, Director of the Intelligence Bureau, Delhi Police Commissioner, and the Director General of the NIA, while the DGP of Jammu and Kashmir will join virtually.
- 11 Nov 2025 8:59 AM IST
Six victims identified, probe underway: DCP
DCP North Raja Banthia said an FIR has been registered under the UAPA, Explosives Act, and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He added that multiple specialised teams, including those from Delhi Police, FSL, and NSG, are collecting evidence at the scene.
- 11 Nov 2025 8:51 AM IST
Govt will take strict action against those behind blast, says Gadkari
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari termed the blast near Delhi’s Red Fort as a very unfortunate incident, saying the government has taken it seriously and will ensure strict action against those responsible.
- 11 Nov 2025 8:25 AM IST
Delhi police register FIR under UAPA and Explosives Act
Delhi police on Tuesday registered an FIR under the The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Act in connection with the blast near Red Fort that claimed nine lives, officials said.
Raids are being conducted at multiple locations by Delhi Police. The national capital has been placed on high alert with strict vigil being maintained at the airport, railway stations and bus terminals.
According to a senior police officer, an FIR has been registered at Kotwali police station under the The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Explosives Act and sections of the BNS.
The FIR has been registered under Sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA, which deal with punishment and conspiracy for a terror attack.
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 nine people and gutting several vehicles, officials said. PTI
