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Police probe use of ammonium nitrate, fuel in Red Fort blast that killed 9

The Delhi Police have registered a case under sections 16, 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Explosives Act

Red FortThe NIA (National Investigations Agency) is likely to take over the probe. The anti-terror unit of Delhi Police -- the Special Cell -- is also conducting the investigations.

Hours after the blast near Red Fort left nine people dead, the Delhi Police and security agencies are probing if ammonium nitrate, fuel oil and detonators led to the explosion in the car, it is learnt.

According to the initial findings, a police officer said, exhibits of the damaged vehicles, including the i20 car, have been picked up from the spot and sent for forensic examinations.

The Delhi Police have registered a case under sections 16, 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Explosives Act at Kotwali Police Station in North Delhi.

The investigation has been transferred from the North district police to the Special Cell. “The Special Cell of the Delhi Police will take over directing the inquiry, coordinating with central agencies as required. The officer, Special CP (Special Cell) Anil Shukla, assigned to head the investigation is the same official who led the investigation team in the National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the Pulwama terror attack in 2019, a decision that authorities say reflects the need for experienced leadership in high-stakes cases,” a senior police officer said.

The NIA is now set to take over the probe, it is learnt.

Police said they are probing links between the arrests of two Jammu and Kashmir doctors by the J&K Police and the man driving the i20 car.

In a major security operation conducted over the past two weeks, J&K Police had said they arrested two doctors — Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganai from Pulwama and Dr Adeel Majeed Rather from Qazigund — in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh who were allegedly part of an “interstate and transnational terror module” linked to the terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammad and Ansar Ghazwatul Hind (AGH).

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The police also claimed they had recovered 350 kg of explosives, suspected to be ammonium nitrate, from Ganai’s rented house in Faridabad’s Dhauj.

Police have recovered CCTV footage and it is suspected that the car driver was alone during the blast. However, on Monday, police sources said it is suspected three people were in the car.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia said that the case has been registered and multiple CCTV cameras are being scanned all around the area. “Teams from the NSG, Delhi Police, and FSL are present at the spot and are investigating the entire crime scene. The investigation is ongoing,” he said.

“There are body parts in the car [in which the blast took place]. The FSL team is collecting them, so let’s see how it connects. We are trying to ascertain the exact sequence of events,” he added.

Sakshi Chand is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. With over a decade of experience in investigative journalism, she is a leading voice on crime, the prison system, and institutional governance in the National Capital. Professional Background Specialization: Her reporting focus includes high-stakes crime, national security, prison reforms, and traffic governance. Key Coverage: She has been on the frontlines of major events such as the 2G spectrum case, the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, and communal clashes across Uttar Pradesh (Kasganj, Aligarh). Earlier Career: Before joining The Indian Express, she was a reporter for The Times of India. Personal Interests: Outside of her career in journalism, Sakshi is a National-level basketball player and coach, bringing a unique sporting discipline to her professional life. Major Recent Coverage (Late 2025) Her reporting in the latter half of 2025 has been dominated by a major terror investigation and administrative accountability: 1. The Red Fort Blast Investigation Throughout November and December 2025, Sakshi led the coverage of a car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort: Forensic Breakthroughs: She reported on the use of TATP and ammonium nitrate in the IED and identified the shops where raw materials were sourced (Nov 14-16, 2025). The "i20 Route": She meticulously tracked the journey of the vehicle used in the blast, tracing it to a Pulwama-based resident who entered Delhi via the Badarpur toll plaza (Nov 12, 2025). Victim Support: She recently reported on the Delhi Police providing a list of damaged vehicle owners to the Finance Ministry to expedite insurance claims for those caught in the blast (Dec 4, 2025). 2. Crime & Police Accountability "Crackdown on Extortion Gangs": In December 2025, she reported on a syndicate that was blackmailing traffic cops. Following five arrests, the Special CP directed officers to report all such attempts (Dec 12, 2025). "Corruption in the Ranks": She covered the arrest of five Delhi Police personnel by the Vigilance branch following a wave of public complaints (May 19, 2025). Cold Cases & International Murders: She has extensively tracked the case of a man who allegedly killed his wife in London and fled to India, reporting on his "Proclaimed Offender" status and the denial of his anticipatory bail (May 2025). 3. Governance & Public Policy "13,000 Homes for 90,000 Cops": A data-driven feature on why the majority of Delhi Police personnel are forced to live on rent despite the city's housing projects (May 4, 2025). Traffic Decongestion: Using her interest in urban logistics, she detailed how the Traffic Police eased congestion on Vikas Marg by switching off signals and creating U-turns (April 2, 2025). Signature Style Sakshi Chand is known for a data-driven and investigative approach. She frequently uses forensic reports, CCTV analysis, and administrative data to go beyond the "official version" of a crime story. Her work in prison reporting is particularly noted for highlighting the legal and humanitarian conditions of foreign detention centers and local jails. ... Read More

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