Three 9mm cartridges found at Delhi Red Fort blast site; no weapon recovered

New Delhi: Forensic teams investigating the car explosion near the Red Fort have recovered three 9mm cartridges, two live and one spent, raising fresh questions about the blast, officials said on Sunday.

Sources confirmed that the ammunition is of a calibre prohibited for civilian possession, prompting concerns over its origin and the nature of the incident. However, no pistol or firearm component was found at the scene, adding complexity to the probe.

“The discovery of these cartridges is being treated as a crucial clue,” said an official. “But the absence of a corresponding weapon opens multiple investigative angles.”

Forensic experts are examining whether the cartridges were fired at the blast site or brought there intentionally, potentially as part of a staged effort to mislead investigators.

Earlier, the Delhi Police Crime Branch intensified its probe, focusing on potential links with Al Falah University. Two FIRs have been registered so far—one for cheating and another for forgery—based on collected evidence.

A Crime Branch team visited the university’s Okhla office, issuing notices and seeking key documents that could shed light on irregularities involving individuals connected with the institution.

Fresh details have also emerged from Nuh, Haryana, where Dr. Umar Muhammad, who died in the explosion, was reportedly moving around for several hours before the blast. Investigators learned that he had rented a room behind the Goyal Ultrasound Centre for 10 days, arranged with the help of Shoeb, an electrician employed at Al Falah University.

“The accommodation was found locked after the blast and has been raided by teams from the Delhi Police, NIA, and CIA Nuh,” sources said. “We believe it may contain crucial leads.” CCTV footage from the nearby ultrasound centre is being closely examined, with initial frames showing the Hyundai i20 involved in the blast, potentially helping reconstruct Dr. Umar’s movements.

Multiple teams from the NIA, Delhi Police, and Haryana Police are now combing Nuh and surrounding areas to trace anyone who may have interacted with Dr. Umar or could be linked to the explosive device.