New Delhi: Delhi Police’s initial investigation suggests that the high-intensity explosion near the Red Fort complex may have been a fidayeen (suicide) attack, said sources within the Delhi Police on November 11.
According to early findings, investigators believe the suspect intended to carry out an explosion. As soon as the suspect learned that a Faridabad module had been busted, he reportedly shifted to planning a fidayeen-style operation, apparently to maximise casualties and avoid capture by police, the sources added.
Investigators are also probing if the actual target of the attack was at another location since the car was moving slowly. Investigators are looking at all possible angles including.
It is worth noting that Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana Police had jointly recovered 360 kg of explosive material and ammunition from Haryana’s Faridabad and apprehended two persons, Dr Muzammil and Aadil Rather, in the matter on early Monday.
Agencies are currently investigating the matter and are working to uncover the full intent behind the blast, while continuing efforts to identify all those involved and the sequence of events that led to the incident.
Rapid Action Force (RAF) has also been deployed at the spot near the Red Fort, where a blast took place in a Hyundai i20 car on Monday evening at around 7 pm.
Several agencies, including Delhi Police, FSL and others, are carrying out an investigation at the spot.
At least eight people died and several were injured in the blast.
The Delhi Police have made significant headway in the investigation into the blast near the Red Fort area, with CCTV footage and data analysis from the dump emerging as crucial leads.
Investigators have traced the suspected vehicle’s movements and are now examining possible communication links established before and after the explosion.
According to officials, CCTV footage shows the suspected car entering and exiting the Red Fort parking area shortly before the blast. The driver appears to be alone in the footage. The route towards Daryaganj is now under scrutiny, and more than 100 CCTV clips, including footage from nearby toll plazas, are being reviewed to map the vehicle’s entire movement.
The explosion, which took place near the historic Red Fort complex, killing eight people and leaving several injured, and triggered panic in the area and led to a massive security response. Teams from the Special Cell,
Crime Branch, and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) were deployed, while the area was sealed and visitors evacuated.
Sources said investigation agencies are closely monitoring social media activity following the blast and have begun extensive technical analysis of communication records. Data from all mobile phones that were active in the vicinity of the Red Fort complex at the time of the explosion is being examined.
Officials said the data could help identify numbers connected to the car blast, revealing communication between suspects and possible accomplices. The dump data from the Red Fort parking area and surrounding zones has been obtained, as the occupants of the car may have been in touch with others before or after the incident, an officer said.
Investigators have also extended the analysis to Faridabad, using dump data to determine communication patterns between people possibly linked to the incident. IPDR (Internet Protocol Detail Record) analysis is being conducted to track devices that went inactive soon after the blast, potentially indicating deliberate attempts to evade detection. (With inputs from ANI)
