Police identify Pulwama suspect's car entering Delhi before explosion.
The investigation into the shocking Red Fort blast in the national capital has zeroed in on a critical lead: a Hyundai i20 car and its 34-year-old owner from Pulwama. In a massive, multi-agency operation, Delhi Police are piecing together the vehicle's movements, revealing a digital trail that began hours before the deadly explosion.
The focus of the entire Delhi terror probe is now on this single vehicle, which investigators have confirmed was purchased by the Pulwama resident on October 29, just days before the incident. While authorities are collecting more evidence before publicly naming the suspect, the Pulwama suspect connection has added a serious terror dimension to the case.
The Digital Trail: Tracking the i20
The breakthrough came after specialized teams undertook a massive CCTV footage analysis, scanning over 100 cameras across multiple districts and states. This meticulous effort allowed police to build a clear timeline of the car's entry into the capital.
A senior source familiar with the car explosion investigation detailed the car's path. "Before entering Delhi, it was first spotted at around 7:30 am outside Asian Hospital in Faridabad," the source said. The digital trail clearly shows the car's next move. "Later, it entered Delhi at around 8:13 am from the Badarpur toll booth."
The car was then tracked to a petrol pump near Modi Mill in the Okhla industrial area at approximately 8:20 am, after which its trail momentarily went cold.
Crucial Parking Lot Footage
Further investigation uncovered disturbing footage from a parking lot adjacent to the Red Fort. This CCTV evidence purportedly shows the Hyundai i20 entering the parking area at 3:19 pm on Monday. An individual, believed to be the driver, is seen collecting a parking slip.
The car remained at the location for several hours before it was seen exiting at 6:48 pm. "CCTV footage shows that there was heavy traffic when the car left the parking lot," a source noted, suggesting the driver may have used the evening rush hour to blend in.
The car was also reportedly spotted in other sensitive areas, including Darya Ganj, Kashmere Gate, and near Sunehri Masjid, prompting investigators to analyze whether the driver was conducting reconnaissance or meeting accomplices.
A Multi-Agency Probe
The scale of the investigation highlights the seriousness of the threat to national capital security. Multiple, specialized units of the Delhi Police are working around the clock. One team has been tasked with tracking the car's movements before it entered Delhi, while another is tracing its complete path within the national capital.
Raja Banthia, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North), confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at the Kotwali Police Station. "A case has been registered under sections of the UAPA, Explosives Act, and BNS," Banthia stated.
The crime scene itself has been secured, with teams from the National Security Guard (NSG) and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) assisting the Delhi Police. Investigators have confirmed the grim discovery of body parts within the wreckage of the car, confirming it as the source of the blast.
"The FSL team is collecting them... and we are trying to ascertain the exact sequence of events," the DCP added.
While Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha has stated that the car had "multiple occupants," other footage reviewed seems to show only one individual. Investigators are now working to resolve this discrepancy, exploring whether others joined the primary suspect later.
