New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting at his residence on Tuesday following the blast near the Red Fort here, which killed nine people on Tuesday evening. The Home Ministry has handed over the Delhi car bomb blast case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, the Director General of the National Investigation Agency, and the Delhi Police Commissioner were present at the high-level security review meeting. The Director General of Police of Jammu and Kashmir also joined the meeting virtually. This review was held following the bomb blast in Delhi on November 10.
Amit Shah told reporters after meeting the injured at LNJP Hospital here, “Tomorrow morning, we will hold a detailed review of the blast at the Home Ministry with senior officials.” The Home Minister had said that top investigative agencies are investigating the blast with full urgency and will conduct a thorough investigation into the explosion in the Hyundai i20 car. Officials said that a high-intensity explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort Metro station on Monday evening, killing nine people and burning several vehicles. Immediately after the blast, Shah spoke with the Delhi Police Commissioner and the Intelligence Bureau Director and directed a coordinated, multi-agency investigation involving the NIA, NSG, FSL, and Delhi Police. All agencies have been directed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the nature and cause of the explosion and submit a detailed report as soon as possible.
On Tuesday morning, a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) revisited the scene to collect additional evidence, as the NIA and NSG continue efforts to determine the type of explosives used. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police is also investigating a viral social media post claiming Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was involved in the high-intensity explosion near the Red Fort on Monday evening. Sources stated that the police’s preliminary investigation into the incident suggests that the i-20 car was headed to Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. Sources stated that the i-20 car in which the explosion occurred was reportedly purchased by a resident of Pulwama.
Delhi Police has also obtained CCTV footage showing the suspect’s car entering and exiting the parking area near the Red Fort. According to Delhi Police sources, the footage indicates that the suspect was alone at the time. Following the massive explosion outside the Red Fort, Delhi Police teams conducted extensive searches throughout the night in hotels in Paharganj, Daryaganj, and surrounding areas. During the raids, all hotel registers were thoroughly checked.
