Red Fort Blast Probe Deepens as Investigators Recover 9mm Cartridges from Site

Investigators probing the car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort have recovered three 9mm cartridges from the site, Delhi Police sources confirmed to news agency ANI. Of these, two were live rounds and one was an empty shell. Officials noted that such ammunition is prohibited for civilian use and typically restricted to security personnel or individuals with special authorisation.

However, no firearm or related component was found at the location, making the discovery even more perplexing for investigators. Authorities say the cartridges are being treated as a significant lead, though the absence of a corresponding weapon has opened several investigative possibilities. Forensic teams are examining whether the rounds were fired at the site or planted to mislead the probe.

Earlier on Saturday, the Delhi Police Crime Branch intensified its investigation, focusing on potential links to Al Falah University. Officials confirmed that two FIRs—one for cheating and another for forgery—have been registered based on evidence collected so far. A Crime Branch team also visited the university’s Okhla office, serving a formal notice and seeking documents that may reveal irregularities involving individuals associated with the institution. Sources indicate that this forms part of a broader inquiry into whether academic or administrative channels were misused in connection with the events preceding the blast.

New details have also emerged from Nuh, where Dr. Umar Muhammad—who died in the explosion—was reportedly seen moving around for several hours before the incident. Investigators learned that he had rented a room behind the Goyal Ultrasound Centre for ten days, arranged with the help of Shoeb, an electrician employed at Al Falah University. The room, found locked following the blast, has since been searched by teams from the Delhi Police, National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) in Nuh, who believe it may contain critical evidence.

CCTV footage from the ultrasound centre is under close examination. Initial visuals show the i20 car involved in the blast, potentially helping authorities retrace Umar’s movements in the hours leading up to the explosion.

Multiple teams from the NIA, Delhi Police, and Haryana Police are now conducting coordinated searches across Nuh and nearby regions to identify individuals who may have interacted with Dr. Umar or could be connected to the explosive device.

The car blast near the Red Fort resulted in the deaths of 12 people and left many others injured, prompting one of the most extensive multi-agency investigations in recent years.