‘Tried calling him; tattoo confirmed his identity’: Red Fort blast victim's father recalls how family learned of tragedy

New Delhi: The devastating car blast at Red Fort, which claimed eight lives, has left families in shock and authorities investigating whether it was a terror attack. Amar Kataria, one of the victims, was reportedly waiting for a taxi near Bhagirath Palace when the explosion occurred.

Family recounts tragic incident

Jagdish Kataria, Amar’s father, said: “We don't yet know if it was a terror attack. He had a shop in Bhagirath Palace and had left at around 6:45 PM. He might have been waiting for a taxi.”

The family learned of the incident when they called Amar’s phone. “We got the information about it when we called on his phone number, and it was answered by a woman who told us about the blast... We identified him after an inquiry; he had a tattoo on his hand, a chain with a ring, and an earring... He had the injury only on his head, while his body was fine,” Kataria added.

Explosive link to Nowgam posters

Sources indicated the blast may be connected to objectionable posters in Srinagar’s Nowgam area, for which an FIR was registered on October 19. Security forces had acted against an inter-state Jaish-e-Mohammed module suspected of involvement in the terror plot.

Series of arrests and seizures

Between October 20 and 27, two suspects were arrested from Shopian and Ganderbal. On November 5, Dr Adil, a medical practitioner, was detained in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Two days later, an AK-56 rifle and ammunition were seized at Anantnag Hospital, followed by more weapons and explosives in Faridabad.

Interrogations revealed additional members of the module. Dr Muzammil, affiliated with Al Falah Medical College, Faridabad, was arrested, leading to further detentions and recovery of a large cache of explosives.

On November 9, Madrasi, a resident of Dhauj, Faridabad, was arrested. The following day, 2,563 kilograms of explosives were recovered from Hafeez Mohammad Ishtiaq, an Imam at Al Falah Mosque in Faridabad’s Dhera Colony. Subsequent raids yielded 358 kilograms of explosive material, detonators, and timers, bringing the total seized to nearly 3,000 kilograms.

Red Fort blast linked to module member

Sources said Umar, a medical practitioner from Al Falah Medical College, was driving the car at Red Fort. CCTV footage confirms his presence, and the explosion involved the same materials stockpiled in Faridabad. Authorities are investigating whether the blast was deliberate or accidental.