Tracking the Red Fort Blast: A Timeline of Terror from Kashmir to Delhi

The deadly car blast near Delhi's Red Fort on November 10 has shaken the nation, not just for its scale but for the chilling trail of events that preceded it. What began as a routine probe into pro-terror posters in Srinagar quickly unravelled into a complex terror module allegedly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad.

Investigators traced connections across states-from Kashmir to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh-uncovering massive caches of explosives and weapons, and arresting multiple suspects. The operation revealed a disturbing level of planning and coordination, culminating in a catastrophic explosion that claimed at least 12 lives.

As Delhi Police pieced together the timeline, surveillance footage and toll data revealed the Hyundai i20's 11-hour journey from Faridabad to the heart of the capital. The vehicle lingered near the Red Fort for hours before detonating in a crowded area, sending shockwaves through the city.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking from Bhutan, condemned the attack and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice. The blast has not only triggered a high-level investigation but also reignited concerns about cross-border terror networks and urban security vulnerabilities.

Timeline: From Kashmir Posters to Red Fort Blast

Early November: The Spark in Srinagar

• Posters supporting Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), a Pakistan-based terrorist group, appear in Srinagar.
• Jammu & Kashmir Police launch an investigation into the propaganda materials.

Days Leading Up to November 10: The Probe Widens

• A joint operation by J&K Police, Intelligence Bureau, and Haryana Police leads to Muzammil Ahmad Ganai, a Pulwama native and faculty member at Al-Falah Medical College in Dhauj, Faridabad.
• Adeel Ahmed Rather from Kulgam, working at a private health facility in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, is arrested soon after.
• Investigators begin piecing together a suspected JeM-linked terror module.

Monday, November 10: Explosives Unearthed

• Authorities seize a staggering 2,900 kg of explosive material from Ganai's rented home in Faridabad, including:
• 360 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate
• An assault rifle, ammunition, batteries, remotes, and timers
• A rifle and ammunition are also recovered from a sedan owned by a female doctor at the same medical college.
• Multiple arrests are made, all allegedly linked to JeM.

Monday Morning: The Car's Journey Begins
- 7:30 am: Hyundai i20 (HR26 CE 7674) spotted outside Asian Hospital, Faridabad.
- 8:13 am: Crosses Badarpur toll plaza, entering Delhi.
- 8:20 am: Captured on CCTV near a petrol pump in Okhla Industrial Area.

Afternoon: Suspicious Parking Near Red Fort
- 3:19 pm: Car enters a parking area adjacent to the Red Fort complex.
- It remains stationary for nearly three hours.

Evening: Final Movements Before the Blast

- 6:22 pm: Car leaves the parking area, heading toward Lal Qila Metro Station.
- Investigators focus on this 30-minute window to identify the occupants.

6:52 pm: The Explosion

- The Hyundai i20 explodes at a traffic signal near Gate No. 1 of Lal Qila Metro Station, just 300 metres from the Red Fort.
- Eyewitnesses report three people inside the car.
- The blast kills at least 12 and injures several others.
- Nearby vehicles are gutted, windows shattered, but no shrapnel or pellets are found.
- CCTV captures a masked man driving the vehicle.

Tuesday, November 11: Investigation Intensifies
- Delhi Police reconstruct the car's 11-hour route using CCTV and toll data.
- Eight suspects have been arrested so far.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking from Bhutan, vows justice: "The conspirators will not be spared."