New CCTV visuals have emerged showing a man behind the wheel of the Hyundai i20 that exploded near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening.
According to sources cited by PTI, Umar Mohammad, a Pulwama resident and a doctor, was allegedly driving the Hyundai i20 car that was used in the explosion near the parking area of the Red Fort Metro Station.
Police sources told PTI thay this is the first picture of the man driving the car that exploded near the Red Fort emerged in CCTV footage of the area. He allegedly had links to the terror module in Faridabad, where a huge cache of explosive material was seized, they said.
The death toll in the blast near Red Fort rose to 12, with three more people succumbing to injuries, police said on Tuesday, according to PTI.
A powerful explosion ripped through a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort metro station on Monday evening. Till last night, nine people were confirmed to have died in the blast and 20 others were injured, officials said. Police said three more people succumbed to injuries taking the toll to 12.
Delhi Police on Tuesday registered an FIR under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosives Act in connection with the deadly blast.
Raids are being conducted at multiple locations by Delhi Police. The national capital has been placed on high alert with strict vigil being maintained at the airport, railway stations and bus terminals.
Thirty four-year-old DTC bus conductor, Ashok Kumar, a native of Amroha district, was among the 12 people who lost their lives.
He was returning after finishing work when a slow-moving car exploded near the traffic signal near Red Fort metro station.
It shattered the window panes of vehicles parked several metres away and the glass panels of the Red Fort metro station.
Kumar was living with his family in a rented house at Jagatpuri, New Delhi, and worked as a conductor with the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) that provides bus services in the national capital, police said.
Circle Officer Hasanpur Deep Pant said that the body of Ashok Kumar will be brought to Amroha for last rites.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday ordered the police to remain on high alert in the wake of a blast at Red Fort.
The chief minister sought details of the incident from Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Krishna, an official statement issued here said.
Krishna issued a series of instructions to district police chiefs, asking them to stay on the ground and personally supervise security at sensitive and crowded areas.
Quick Response Teams (QRT), Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), bomb disposal squads, and dog squads have been kept on standby, while foot patrol has been intensified, he said.
Police have been told to ensure strict checking of vehicles and keep a vigilant eye at metro stations, bus stands, railway stations, malls, and cinemas without causing inconvenience to the public, the DGP said in his directive.
Real-time analysis of CCTV feeds and active engagement of intelligence and local information networks have been ordered to ensure prompt reporting of any suspicious persons or activities.
With inputs from PTI
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