India probes link between Delhi blast and earlier Kashmir arrests, sources say

Indian police are investigating if there is a link between this week's car blast in Delhi and the earlier arrest of a group of seven men from the Kashmir region with arms and bomb-making material, three sources familiar with the probe said on Wednesday.

The arrests in Jammu and Kashmir federal territory happened hours before the blast outside Delhi’s historic Red Fort that left eight dead and at least 20 wounded. 

The seven suspects, including two doctors, were detained for a separate anti-terror probe in Kashmir, with officers expanding the search to the other states that border Delhi. Kashmir Police said they found two pistols, two assault rifles and 2,900 kg of bomb-making material during the raids.

According to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, investigations are focused on whether the driver involved in the Delhi blast was a doctor and a colleague of one of the two arrested in Kashmir.

Spokespersons for the Delhi Police and the National Investigation Agency - the federal anti-terror agency that has taken over the probe - did not respond to requests for comment.

Indian authorities earlier announced that they were investigating the blast under a stringent anti-terrorism law.

They have not named anyone or made any arrests in connection with the explosion.