Delhi Police intensify the Red Fort blast investigation, hunting for a second suspect vehicle a red Ford EcoSport. The NIA takes over the probe as PM Modi visits the injured, while nationwide security is heightened following the deadly explosion.
Two days after a deadly explosion ripped through a parked Hyundai i20 near Delhi’s historic Red Fort, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens more, the Delhi Police have now launched a manhunt for a second suspected car — a red Ford EcoSport — believed to be linked to the same terror module.
According to police sources, an alert has been issued across Delhi and neighbouring states, while five dedicated police teams have been formed to track down the vehicle. The Delhi Police believe that the second car was part of a coordinated terror plan, suggesting the possibility of a larger network at work.
“All police stations, posts, and border checkpoints in Delhi have been put on high alert. We have also informed the Uttar Pradesh and Haryana Police to assist in tracing the red Ford EcoSport,” a senior officer told reporters.
NIA Steps In with a Special Team
In a major development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe into the Red Fort blast. On Wednesday, the agency constituted a 10-member special investigation team (SIT) led by Additional Director General Vijay Sakhare, including an Inspector General (IG), two Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), and several senior police officers.
Sources confirmed that the Home Ministry formally transferred the case to the NIA on Tuesday evening, citing the potential involvement of an organized terror network with cross-border links.
“The pattern and sophistication of the blast indicate a possible suicide attack designed to cause maximum civilian casualties,” an official close to the investigation said.
CCTV Footage and Digital Surveillance Intensified
Investigators have begun combing through over 1,000 CCTV clips collected from Red Fort, Daryaganj, Chandni Chowk, and nearby areas. Preliminary findings suggest that the Hyundai i20, which exploded near Gate No.1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, had been parked hours before the blast.
Authorities suspect the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) triggered remotely or by timer. Teams are also scanning mobile tower dump data to trace communications around the blast site, while social media channels are being monitored for possible claims of responsibility.
“The presence of another red car — a Ford EcoSport — seen in some surveillance footage has raised serious questions. It could have carried accomplices or additional explosives,” said a Delhi Police investigator on condition of anonymity.
PM Modi Visits the Injured
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who returned from his two-day visit to Bhutan on Wednesday afternoon, went directly to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital to meet the victims of the Red Fort blast.
During his visit, the Prime Minister interacted with the injured and wished them a speedy recovery, while doctors and officials briefed him on their medical condition and the ongoing investigation.
In a statement later, PM Modi expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of lives and condemned the cowardly act of terror, assuring that the culprits would face the “full force of the law.”
Nationwide Security on High Alert
Following the explosion, high-security alerts have been issued across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, and Mumbai. Security agencies have intensified checks at crowded public places, railway stations, metro hubs, and religious sites.
The Delhi Police have also increased night patrolling, with anti-sabotage teams conducting detailed searches around heritage sites and government buildings.
“We are not ruling out the possibility of sleeper cells being activated in multiple cities,” an NIA officer said. “Our priority is to prevent any secondary strike and ensure public safety.”
Ongoing Hunt for the Missing Red EcoSport
The red Ford EcoSport is now the focal point of the manhunt, as investigators believe it may have been used by other members of the terror group to flee the scene after planting the explosive-laden Hyundai i20.
Authorities have circulated images of similar models to all toll plazas, airports, and inter-state borders. Technical teams are analyzing vehicle registration databases for any leads.
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As the investigation deepens, Delhi Police and NIA officials are piecing together evidence that could reveal the larger conspiracy behind the Red Fort blast — an attack that has shaken the capital’s sense of security and drawn nationwide condemnation.
