A few hours after 3000kg of explosives were recovered from Faridabad by the Jammu and Kashmir police, a car blast occurred in Delhi’s Lal Quila area.
As per recent reports, deaths of more than 10 people have been confirmed, and 20 plus have been injured in the blast that has caused a lot of tension in the country’s capital. The car involved in the blast was a Hyundai i20 and had plates from Haryana. It has also been confirmed that one of the owners of the car was named Tariq, who belonged to Pulwama. The explosion took place near the Lal Quila metro exit Gate number 1.
The blast was heard by residents about 2 to 3 kilometres away, and caught fire in other vehicles around the involved I-20. Horrific visuals have been recorded by witnesses who mention body parts and blood in the area, with the car’s doors blasted off.
Satish Golcha, the Delhi Police Commissioner, confirmed to the reporters that the slow-moving car stopped at the traffic signal at about 6:52 pm. The car exploded, causing damage to other cars around it. Several people lost their lives, and several are still undergoing treatment. He also informed that the Home Minister has called them, and the entire situation is being monitored by all the respective teams.
The Prime Minister has also been informed about the blast and has expressed his grief and concern. As per initial investigations, the nature of the blast is unclear, but security at the borders has been ramped up, especially at the India-Nepal border. All authorities and investigating agencies have also been alerted.
Authorities have informed that the priority of the government is to give proper medical care to the injured and stop movements in the area. Forensic teams have been given samples to conduct further investigations. The explosion is being linked to the recovery of explosives from Faridabad, including a 350kg ammonium nitrate, which is a common fertiliser that can be turned into a violent explosive.
The intel about the explosives was given by Adil Rather, a Jammu-based doctor who has already been arrested. Another doctor, Muzammil Shakeel, has been linked to the attack. He worked at Al Falah Hospital in Faridabad. Referring to the attacks and raids, the police have revealed that they have busted a transnational and inter-state terror outfit which is linked to the banned Jaish and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, attached to al-Qaeda.
