After the massive car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort that killed nine people, the first visuals of the Hyundai i20 involved in the incident have surfaced. CCTV footage shows the suspect driving the same car that later exploded.
Who was the Driver, Dr Mohammad Umar?
Police reports have identified the suspect as Dr Mohammad Umar, who is believed to have links with the Faridabad module. Officials said Umar may have been waiting for someone or acting on instructions while inside the parking lot. DNA testing will be carried out to confirm the identity of the deceased, and all individuals who were travelling in the i20 have been accounted for.
The car was seen on CCTV just before the blast around 6:50 pm on Monday. It had been parked for nearly three hours near the Sunehri Masjid, close to the Red Fort. The footage shows the suspect entering the parking lot at 3:19 pm and leaving at 6:48 pm.
According to Delhi Police sources, CCTV footage shows the suspect’s car entering and exiting the parking area, and the suspect was alone at the time. Investigators are now tracking the route towards Daryaganj and are examining over 100 CCTV clips, including those from nearby toll plazas, to trace the vehicle’s full movement.
Police examine over 100 CCTV Clips
Delhi Police said over 100 CCTV clips from nearby streets and toll plazas are being examined to reconstruct the car’s route. ANI reported that the footage confirms the suspect was alone while entering and exiting the parking area near Red Fort Gate 1.
Authorities are also tracing the vehicle’s movements toward Daryaganj. Earlier reports had suggested that two to three people may have been in the car, but the CCTV footage appears to contradict this initial assessment.
Accused Detained
One person has been taken into custody for questioning about the car, and police are investigating possible links to a terror group believed to be connected with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH). Earlier on Monday, authorities had busted this module and seized 2,900 kilograms of explosives.
A high alert has been declared across Delhi. Security has also been increased in neighboring states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The Delhi Fire Service said that at least 20 fire trucks were sent to the blast site, and police sealed off the area to ensure safety. The Chandni Chowk market will stay closed on Tuesday, but the Delhi government has not announced any school closures for November 11. Security has been strengthened at airports, metro stations, heritage sites, and important government buildings.
