Multiplicity of ownership of vehicle points to possibility of terror angle

NEW DELHI: No craters, no shrapnel or pellets - this was the first impression of the forensic and anti-terror experts who arrived at the spot after the car bomb explosion near the Red Fort on Monday evening. While it puzzled the investigators, a plausible explanation soon emerged with some experts saying that it was possible that a crater may not be formed if the car was in motion.

"It could be a highly inflammable chemical, which may have caused the casualties. It's a high-end explosive material," said a source, hinting at the possible use of a mixture of ammonium nitrate and RDX. However, a detailed blast analysis report will confirm or deny these theories, he added. A possible link with the Faridabad seizure was also being actively explored.


All angles are being probed and National Investigation Agency is likely to take over the probe into the FIR, which was being filed by Delhi Police late on Monday.

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The initial probe led police to a man named Salman from Gurgaon, who allegedly owned the 'HR 26 7674' i20 car involved in the blast. He told police that he had sold the car to someone named Devendra in March. Police then contacted the RTO to fetch further details of the sellers. Fictitious IDs were used and one of them was also of a Pulwama resident, said a cop.

However, the multiplicity of ownership of the vehicle raised eyebrows as this was a preferred modus operandi of terrorist groups while choosing a vehicle for SVB-IED (suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device) attacks.

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As there were at least three people in the car, police suspect that there may be a possibility that it was a hired/rented car because suicide attacks usually involve one-two persons.

A crucial aspect, as also pointed out by home minister Amit Shah, is the analysis of footage from over 230 CCTV cameras. While it has helped police establish the route taken by the vehicle, it also provided them with the registration number.

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Investigators are grappling with many unanswered questions, including the presence of three people in the car and its outstation numberplate.
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