Two Amroha residents killed in Delhi Red Fort blast, Delhi Police step up probe with CCTV evidence

New Delhi: Two friends from Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha district were among the victims of the Red Fort blast in Delhi on Monday evening, leaving their families and hometown in deep grief.

The deceased were identified as Lokesh Agarwal, a fertiliser trader and his close friend Ashok Kumar, both residents of Hasanpur in Amroha. According to family members, the two were returning home from Delhi when the explosion occurred. Lokesh had reportedly travelled to the national capital to visit an ailing relative.

Both men died on the spot. “We learned about the incident from television reports and soon after, the police confirmed the tragedy. The bodies were handed over after post-mortem,” a grieving relative said. Lokesh Agarwal is survived by his wife and two sons.

The blast, which took place near the Red Fort metro station, has triggered widespread shock and sorrow in Amroha.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have intensified their investigation into the car explosion, which killed nine people and injured several others. According to officials, CCTV footage has provided crucial leads regarding the suspect vehicle’s movement before the blast.

Also read: Maharashtra on high alert after Delhi blast, security tightened across Mumbai and key railway stations

Police sources said the white Hyundai i20 involved in the incident was first seen entering the Red Fort parking area around 3:19 pm and remained there for nearly three hours. The vehicle reportedly exited the area at 6:48 pm, just minutes before the explosion near a traffic signal outside the historic monument.

Investigators are now analysing more than 100 CCTV clips from nearby roads, parking zones and toll plazas to trace the car’s route and identify the person driving it. Preliminary footage suggests that the suspect was alone in the vehicle, officials said.

The police are also questioning the parking attendant who was on duty at the time to determine who brought the car and whether anyone else was involved.

A case has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) Sections 16 and 18, the Explosives Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

As a precautionary measure, Gate Nos. 1 and 4 of the Lal Qila Metro Station have been closed to the public amid ongoing security operations in the area.

(with inputs from agencies)