New CCTV evidence has surfaced, providing a chilling glimpse into the moments before a white Hyundai i20 exploded on a crowded road near Delhi’s Red Fort. This incident follows closely on the heels of a deadly blast that resulted in nine deaths and numerous injuries. The footage, captured by a traffic camera situated near Gate Number 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, shows the car making its way through a dense mix of e-rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, and other vehicles. At approximately 6:52 pm on Monday, the car was engulfed in flames, causing significant damage to adjacent vehicles and buildings and creating panic in the busy Old Delhi district. The government has labeled the event a ‘heinous terror act,’ and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is now spearheading the investigation. The video vividly illustrates the i20’s slow progress through heavy traffic just before the explosive detonation. Despite the swift arrival of emergency services, the car was completely destroyed. Authorities have confirmed nine fatalities and at least twelve individuals injured in the blast. The vehicle in question has been identified as a white Hyundai i20 with license plate HR 26CE7674. Investigators believe it was operated by Dr. Umar Nabi, a 32-year-old doctor with alleged links to a terror module associated with Pakistan’s Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Information suggests Dr. Nabi purchased the car on October 29th from a dealer in Faridabad. CCTV footage confirms Dr. Nabi visited a Pollution Under Control (PUC) station near the dealership shortly after. He then allegedly drove to Al-Falah Medical College and parked near a car owned by Dr. Muzammil Shakeel, who is currently under arrest for his involvement in the recovery of 2,900 kg of explosives. Shakeel’s vehicle was registered to Dr. Shaheen Saeed, a medical professional from Lucknow also detained for suspected terror connections. The Hyundai i20 was tracked via surveillance cameras across Delhi, including prominent areas like Connaught Place and Mayur Vihar, before reaching the Sunehri Masjid parking lot in Chandni Chowk. Footage shows a man, presumed to be Nabi, near the car. The vehicle sat parked for over three hours before heading towards Netaji Subhash Marg, the street flanking the Red Fort, where the fatal explosion occurred amidst slow-moving evening traffic.
