The death toll from the devastating car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort earlier this week has climbed to 13, after another victim, identified as Bilal, succumbed to his injuries at LNJP Hospital on Thursday. Bilal had been battling severe burn and blast wounds for several days before passing away, officials confirmed.
According to the Delhi Police, hospital authorities informed them about Bilal’s demise early Thursday morning. His post-mortem will be conducted later in the day. Several other injured victims remain under treatment across various hospitals in the national capital, with a few reported to be in critical condition.
In a significant development, a joint team of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and Delhi Police recovered a body part from New Lajpat Rai Market, located close to the blast site. The remains have been sent for forensic analysis to assist in the ongoing investigation into the terror attack, which has shaken the city’s core.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which officially took over the probe earlier this week, has confirmed through DNA analysis that Dr. Umar Nabi was driving the car that exploded near Red Fort. Sources said the DNA test was conducted using samples collected from Umar’s mother, which matched the remains recovered from the blast site. This confirmation marks a crucial breakthrough in the investigation.
Meanwhile, panic briefly gripped parts of southwest Delhi’s Mahipalpur on Thursday morning after a loud explosion-like sound was reported near the Radisson Hotel. The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) promptly dispatched three fire tenders following a call received at 9:19 a.m.
However, an inspection revealed no signs of any explosion. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Amit Goel clarified, “The caller was contacted and he informed that while he was on his way to Gurugram, he heard a loud noise. Upon checking, nothing suspicious was found.”
Further inquiry revealed that the sound originated from a burst tyre of a DTC bus heading towards Dhaula Kuan. “During local enquiry, a guard informed that the rear tyre of a DTC bus had burst and the sound came from that,” the DCP added, reassuring residents that the situation was under control and there was no cause for alarm.
