Red Fort blast: Another car linked to terror module found in Al Falah University; Nuh fertiliser seller detained

In connection with the Delhi blast and the terror module centre Al Falah University, a team from the Delhi Police’s Special Cell conducted raids in Nuh district on Thursday and detained a fertiliser and seed seller from Pinangwa.

It is alleged that more than 20 quintals of NPK fertiliser worth Rs 3 lakh was purchased from his shop by terrorist Dr Umar. The family members of the shopkeeper are currently unwilling to comment, while the investigating agency and the Haryana Police have yet to confirm his arrest. Local residents confirm that the police took the shopkeeper with them.

Investigating agencies have also found diaries and notebooks of Dr Umar and Muzammil and code words were used in them. A senior investigating officer said that Umar had created a group of 2-4 members on Signal app.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have found another suspect car at Al Falah University in Dhauj, Faridabad. The Brezza car is registered in the name of Dr Shaheen, who was previously arrested in this case. Investigations revealed that the car used in the blast was purchased in Faridabad on October 29. A Faridabad police spokesperson said the new car found is also under investigation.

Meanwhile, the Faridabad police today conducted a search operation in the Muslim-dominated areas of Ajji Colony, Sector 62, Ashiana, Mirzapur, and the slums surrounding Muzaidi village. In 1997, Delhi Police arrested a terrorist from Ajji colony. Amid high alert, checkpoints are being set up in various areas in Faridabad to check vehicles.

A bomb squad team reached to search the car parked at the university today. Heavy police force has also been deployed at the scene.

According to official sources, during interrogation by Jammu and Kashmir Police, Dr Shaheen revealed that both cars were used to smuggle explosives and hide them in Faridabad. A senior investigating officer said that police officials are not touching the cars, and the team will check the vehicles only after clearance by the bomb disposal squad.

Police have also cordoned off areas within a 200m radius of the red Ford EcoSport car allegedly linked to suspects behind the blast in Delhi, a day after it was seized from Faridabad’s Khandawali village. Delhi police have also detained a man who parked the car for questioning.

The i-20 car used in the blast was purchased in Faridabad. The terrorists negotiated the deal through OLX and then came to Faridabad and picked it up, confirmed Amit Patel, owner of Royal Car Zone in Faridabad.

“On October 29, a customer contacted us through OLX. My office staff member Sonu handled the customer’s request for a Hyundai i-20 car. Sonu showed them a 2013 or a 2014 model car and they immediately decided to buy it. The documents he provided to purchase the car included his Aadhaar card and PAN card, showing his address as Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir. After completing the documentation, the car was handed over to two men named Aamir and Rashid at around 4pm. If we had even the slightest suspicion, we would not have handed over the car. Aamir had requested 25 days to transfer the vehicle’s RC. They came in an auto and went away after purchasing the car,” said Amit Patel.

Sources said the Ford EcoSport is registered in the name of Dr Umar Nabi, who was allegedly driving the exploded Hyundai i-20.

The search operation of Faridabad police was conducted by police teams led by ACP Jitesh Malhotra. Police teams inquired about the tenants and noted down their Aadhaar card numbers in Mirzapur, Muzaidi and Ajji colony areas. The police teams also took relevant documents from the Imams. A large number of people live in slums around Muzaidi and Mirzapur, where police also checked Rohingya and Bangladeshi residents.

“The search operation is going on. So far, no suspicious individuals have been found in the area. Everyone is urged to remain vigilant,” said Rajkumar Walia, DCP, Ballabgarh.

Police teams on Thursday again visited Al Falah University and the residence of Dr Muzammil Ganaie, one of the prime suspects arrested in the case. They questioned several doctors and students in the university.