Over 2kg ammonium nitrate used in Red Fort blast: Report
What's the story
Investigators have revealed that over two kilograms of ammonium nitrate were used in the deadly blast near the Red Fort in Delhi on November 10. The explosion, which took place at a traffic signal on Netaji Subhash Marg, claimed 13 lives and injured over 20 others. The blast also damaged several vehicles in the area.
Profile details
Suspect's background and explosive preparation
The main suspect, Umar Nabi, is a Kashmiri doctor associated with Al Falah University in Faridabad. He is said to be an "expert" in making bombs and may have prepared the explosives used in the blast. Forensic investigations suggest such explosives can be made in five to 10 minutes. Security agencies are probing whether Nabi prepared them at a nearby parking lot where he parked his car before the explosion.
Plan change
Initial blast plan and subsequent panic
Sources told NDTV that Nabi initially planned to detonate the bomb near the Red Fort's parking lot but changed his mind after his associates were arrested. His aides, Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie and Shaheen Saeed, were also doctors at Al Falah University. The Jammu and Kashmir Police had cracked a "white collar" terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind hours before the blast.
Ongoing probe
Security agencies' investigation and seizure
The Jammu and Kashmir Police also seized 2,900kg of explosive substances and arrested seven people in connection with the terror module. The investigation into the Red Fort blast is ongoing, with security agencies looking into all possible angles. The blast has raised concerns over security lapses in crowded areas like Delhi's Red Fort, a popular tourist destination.