A major development has emerged in the Delhi Red Fort car blast investigation, with intelligence agencies tracing a Rs 20 lakh funding trail suspected to be linked to a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) handler. According to sources, the money was allegedly routed through a hawala network and connected to three doctors identified as Umar, Muzammil, and Shaheen.
Investigators believe that around Rs 3 lakh from the fund was used to purchase 26 quintals of NPK fertiliser, a chemical compound containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. While commonly used in agriculture, NPK fertiliser can also be converted into explosive material, and officials suspect this was used to create the blast.
Sources revealed that disagreements had surfaced between Dr Umar-un-Nabi and Dr Shaheen over the handling and allocation of the funds. A key lead provided by Muzammil reportedly helped investigators stitch together crucial information about the financial trail and those involved in the conspiracy.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police officials confirmed that three 9mm cartridges were recovered from the blast site—two live rounds and one empty casing. This type of ammunition is prohibited for civilian use and is typically issued only to security forces or individuals with special authorisation. However, no firearm or weapon parts were found at the location, raising further questions about how the cartridges ended up there.
Authorities are now focused on determining whether the suspect had access to the cartridges and how they were brought to the site. The discovery has added a fresh dimension to the investigation, prompting agencies to also examine whether the ammunition may have links to any terror or criminal network.
Security agencies continue to analyse CCTV footage from the area and gather forensic evidence as part of the ongoing probe into the blast and the possible involvement of multiple operatives.
