New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has set up a 10-member special investigation team headed by senior IPS officer Vijay Sakhare to probe the recent blast near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station that killed nine people. The decision follows a directive from Union Home Minister Amit Shah after a high-level review of the incident, with the Centre pushing for a swift and coordinated investigation.
Sakhare, a 1996-batch IPS officer from the Kerala cadre and one of India’s most seasoned anti-terror experts, took over as NIA Director General in September this year. Known for his extensive experience in counterterrorism operations, he has previously served in the agency as Inspector General and has been associated with several key cases. His appointment highlights the seriousness with which the government is treating the Red Fort blast.
The NIA team comprises one officer of Inspector General rank, two Deputy Inspectors General, three Superintendents of Police, and four Deputy Superintendents. The agency has begun examining case diaries and intelligence inputs from Delhi Police, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and Haryana Police to identify possible links to other modules. Investigators are also analysing over 1,000 CCTV clips, mobile phone data, and social media records to track the suspects’ movements and communications.
Preliminary reports suggest that the explosion may not have been caused by a high-intensity device, as no crater or projectile fragments were found at the site. Officials are probing whether the blast was accidental, possibly triggered when the suspect panicked. However, the NIA has not ruled out the possibility of a deliberate act and is focusing on tracing the source of the materials used in the explosion.
With the central agency now in charge, the probe is expected to bring together intelligence from multiple states and departments. Under Sakhare’s leadership, the investigation aims to follow an evidence-driven approach to establish accountability and uncover any larger conspiracy behind one of the most high-profile security incidents in the national capital this year.
BI Bureau
