Investigators probing the Red Fort blast in Delhi have uncovered a massive terror conspiracy involving 32 vehicles that were being modified to carry explosives and bombs for coordinated attacks across several Indian cities. According to NDTV, the planned strikes were part of a “revenge operation” timed for December 6, the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, with six targets identified in Delhi alone.
Among the vehicles identified are a Maruti Brezza, Maruti Swift Dzire, Ford EcoSport, and the Hyundai i20 that exploded near Red Fort on Monday evening. These cars were specifically chosen because they were old and had changed hands multiple times, making them harder to trace.
Investigators have now located all four vehicles. The Brezza was recovered from the Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre in Faridabad, which has emerged as the nerve centre of the terror network.
The EcoSport, registered under DL10 CK 0458, was found abandoned in Faridabad with an unidentified man asleep inside, who has since been detained. The Swift Dzire, seized earlier, was found carrying an assault rifle and ammunition.
Premature explosion foiled larger plan
Officials say the Hyundai i20, loaded with high-grade explosives and ammonium nitrate fuel oil, was meant to be detonated inside the Red Fort’s parking area. However, the plan went awry when the device exploded prematurely, killing 13 people. Investigators believe it was triggered accidentally by Umar Mohammed, also known as Umar un-Nabi, one of the key operatives.
CCTV footage shows the i20 entering Delhi through the Badarpur border on Monday morning and moving around the city before the blast. Authorities suspect Umar panicked after the arrest of several associates.
Faridabad at the centre of the plot
Faridabad has now been identified as the main operational hub for the terror module. Security agencies have recovered nearly 3,000 kg of explosives and multiple assault rifles from the Al-Falah Hospital campus and from a medical college in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir.
Arrested suspects Adil Ahmad Rather, Mujammil Shakeel, and Dr. Shahina Saeed allegedly coordinated the transport of explosives and vehicles between these two locations. Investigators also found that the group had initially planned an attack on Diwali (October 20) but postponed it.
When Umar discovered that Red Fort was closed to visitors on Monday, he allegedly changed the plan on the spot and detonated the car bomb at a busy traffic signal near the fort and metro station.