 "i20, Brezza, EcoSport and more… How multiple vehicles are ‘linked’ to Delhi blast")
The Delhi blast probe continues at a frantic pace with officials trying to ascertain just how dangerous and widespread was the intended attack.
After authorities were able to determine the vehicle that exploded at Red Fort on Monday to be a Hyundai i20 and traced its journey into the Capital, now their focus has moved to other cars — a Maruti Suzuki Brezza, a Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire, and a Red EcoSport.
Here’s what we know about the vehicles in question.
Read live updates from the Delhi blast investigation here
The i20 that exploded near Red Fort
On Monday evening, a white i20 car slowly approached Gate number 1 outside Red Fort Metro station before it exploded, killing a total of 13 people and injuring many others. CCTV video shows the shows the cars going up in flames at the traffic signal where they were waiting for it to turn green. The footage, capturing the exact moment of the incident, shows a huge ball of flames engulf several cars at the Chandni Chowk traffic signal on Netaji Subhash Marg near the Lal Qila Metro Station Gate number 1.
Scouring CCTV footage from in and around the area, authorities were able to track down the moment the car arrived at the scene of the blast and found that a single man, dressed in a black or blue T-shirt was driving the vehicle. Officials identified him as Dr Umar Nabi, a Pulwama-based doctor and on Thursday confirmed through DNA testing that it was him behind the wheel at the time of the explosion.
During the course of their investigations, authorities found that the vehicle, with a Haryana registration number, had changed hands multiple times before the explosion. The vehicle was last sold to a man identified as Tariq from Pulwama, who later gave it to Dr Nabi.
The i20, according to officials, which was the source of the blast, entered the city through Haryana’s Faridabad. For nearly 11 hours, from around 8 am to just before 7 pm on Monday, the vehicle was spotted at various locations in Delhi. This includes locations such as Darya Ganj, Kashmere Gate and the historic Sunehri Masjid near Red Fort, covering central and old Delhi.
Other cars in focus
But the i20 isn’t the only car that authorities are focused on. The investigating officials have now trained their sights on a Maruti Brezza, as well a Ford EcoSport and a Swift Dzire.
The EcoSport, with number plate, DL 10 CK 0458, red in colour, and owned by Dr Nabi, was seized by the Faridabad Police on Wednesday (November 12) near Haryana’s Khandawali village. Authorities believe that those involved in the blast, used the EcoSport as a secondary vehicle in the operation, following the explosion of a white Hyundai i20, which was found destroyed near the blast site.
Sources within the investigating team also suspect that Dr Nabi and his team used a red EcoSport car to transport and stockpile ammonium nitrate over time.
Additionally, the Faridabad Police on Thursday morning detained the man who parked the EcoSport. The individual, identified as Faheem, is reportedly a relative of Dr Nabi. Investigators are questioning him to determine his role in the logistics and planning of the vehicle’s use.
Apart from the red EcoSport, there’s a third car that authorities have now found that is linked to the terror case — a Maruti Brezza. The vehicle was found parked on the campus of Al-Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana, which is emerging as a key hub linked to the suspects’ activities.
A source told news agency PTI, “The third car is suspected to have been used by the accused for reconnaissance or escape.”
Investigators are also looking into a Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire that belonged to Dr Shaheen Shahid, who was arrested after assault rifles and ammunition were recovered from her car. This car, sources have found, was also used by Muzammil, who allegedly rented the rooms where the explosives were kept. Shaheen and Muzammil, both in custody, were working at the Al-Falah University in Faridabad.
A chilling terror plot unravelled
Intelligence agencies, who are investigating the Delhi Red Fort blast, have also reportedly uncovered a wider terror conspiracy. News agency ANI, citing sources, has reported that 32 cars were being prepped to carry explosive materials and/or deliver bombs.
This was meant to be part of a serial ‘revenge’ attack targeting multiple locations, including six in Delhi on December 6 — the anniversary of when Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was torn down by a mob — reported NDTV.
The cars to be used in this plot, including the Brezza, were old and re-sold multiple times, so that it would make it difficult for the cops to trace them.
Investigators, as per a Times of India report, said around eight suspects were allegedly preparing to carry out this attack, working in pairs.
Reports state that for this terror plot, the accused jointly raised an estimated Rs 20 lakh in cash, which was handed over to Dr Nabi for expenses. The funds were allegedly used to procure over 20 quintals of NPK fertiliser (NPK fertiliser is a blend of three Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) and can be used to extract explosive material), with the intention of creating IEDs.
With inputs from agencies
 "Delhi blast LIVE updates: J&K Police move Interpol for red corner notice against Kashmir doctor in terror module probe")
 "Is Asim Munir the de facto ruler of Pakistan after 27th Amendment passes?")
 "Red Fort terrorists planned Pulwama-type attack in Kashmir, switched to Delhi after crackdown: Report")
 "Despite Xi’s marathon stimulus push, China in longest consumption slowdown since Covid jolt")
 "Delhi blast LIVE updates: J&K Police move Interpol for red corner notice against Kashmir doctor in terror module probe")
 "Is Asim Munir the de facto ruler of Pakistan after 27th Amendment passes?")
 "Red Fort terrorists planned Pulwama-type attack in Kashmir, switched to Delhi after crackdown: Report")
 "Despite Xi’s marathon stimulus push, China in longest consumption slowdown since Covid jolt")
