Delhi Blast Car linked to J&K resident, Original owner arrested

November 11, 2025

New Delhi: The Hyundai i20 that exploded near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening around 12 people  and injuring 20 others — was reportedly sold to a man from Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama, according to sources.

Police in Haryana’s Gurugram earlier arrested Mohammad Salman, the original owner of the i20 bearing the number plate HR26 CE 7674. During questioning, Salman said he had sold the car to a man identified as Tariq from Pulwama. It remains unclear whether Tariq subsequently sold the vehicle to someone else.

The explosion occurred around 6:52 pm, moments after the car slowed near a traffic signal by Gate No. 1 of the Lal Qila Metro Station. Investigators believe the blast originated from the rear of the vehicle. The powerful explosion engulfed nearly two dozen nearby vehicles, including an e-rickshaw, in flames that took firefighters nearly 40 minutes to extinguish.

Disturbing visuals from the scene showed mangled cars, bodies, and debris scattered across the area.

Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the injured, said top agencies were probing the incident with “full intensity.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also been briefed on the situation.

The blast occurred just hours after Jammu and Kashmir Police recovered nearly 3,000 kg of explosives, including 350 kg of ammonium nitrate, from two residential buildings in Haryana’s Faridabad  material linked to a J&K-based doctor, Adil Rather, who is under arrest.