The investigation into the powerful explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort has taken a shocking turn. Police sources have confirmed that the i20 car, which exploded on Monday evening killing 11 people and injuring 24 others, was once owned by a man from Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir.
According to police, the car’s registration number, HR26CE 7674, is registered in Gurugram, Haryana. Investigators discovered that the vehicle had changed multiple hands before it ended up in Delhi.
Red Fort Blast Car: From Gurugram to Pulwama to Delhi
Initial checks with the Regional Transport Office revealed that the car was registered under Mohammad Salman, a resident of Gurugram. When questioned, Salman told police he had sold the vehicle around 1.5 years ago to Devender, a resident of Okhla, Delhi.
Devender, in turn, reportedly sold the car to a buyer in Ambala, Haryana. From there, police believe it was purchased by a man named Tariq, a resident of Pulwama.
Delhi Police sources said, “The car was sold to Tariq from Pulwama. His role is now under investigation.” A photo has surfaced showing a young man holding the car keys in front of the vehicle, believed to be Tariq. Police teams have launched a search operation to locate him.
Faridabad Connection: A Parking Challan Before the Blast
In another twist, Delhi Police found that the same i20 car was issued a no-parking challan in Faridabad just days before the explosion. This discovery ties the vehicle to Faridabad, where earlier this week, police recovered 350 kg of explosives, arms, and timers from a house linked to a J&K module.
The Faridabad lead has raised suspicions that the Red Fort explosion and the recently busted terror module may be part of the same network. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is now coordinating with both the Delhi and Haryana Police to verify the link.
The Exact Moment of the Red Fort Blast
The deadly explosion occurred at 6:52 PM near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station when the car stopped at a red light. The blast was so powerful that it gutted several vehicles and caused chaos in the crowded area.
A senior Delhi Police officer said, “An explosion happened in a slow-moving vehicle. Nearby vehicles were damaged. The situation is being monitored.”
Home Minister Amit Shah has personally visited the blast site and assured a thorough investigation. He also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation.
All Angles Under Probe
Officials are now piecing together how the I-20 car — that started from Pulwama, passed through Ambala and Faridabad — ended up exploding in the heart of Delhi. Multiple agencies, including the NIA, Forensic Science Lab (FSL), and Delhi Police’s Special Cell, are jointly working to trace the full network behind the attack.
As Delhi remains on high alert, officials said no possibility is being ruled out — from a terror angle to illegal explosives trafficking.
