In brief
In a shocking incident, a car blast near the historic Red Fort in Delhi resulted in eight fatalities and over 20 injuries. The Indian government condemned the act as terrorism and has mobilized extensive security measures and investigations. Prime Minister Modi expressed condolences, and authorities are pursuing leads to identify the perpetrators.
A deadly car blast in a busy area of India's capital city Delhi was declared a terror incident by the country's government. At least eight individuals lost their lives, and 20 others suffered injuries due to the explosion that occurred near the historic Red Fort on Monday.
During a security meeting held late on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet condemned the attack, labeling it a cowardly act committed by anti-national forces. Although no suspects have been arrested as of yet, the investigation is ongoing.
The cabinet asserted, The country has witnessed a heinous terror incident, perpetrated by anti-national forces, through a car explosion. They urged an urgent and professional pursuit of the investigation to bring the attackers to justice quickly.
The explosion took place near a metro station close to the Red Fort shortly before 19:00 local time, as a slow-moving vehicle came to a stop. A Hyundai i20 car that was moving and carrying three people was identified as the source of the explosion, according to police reports.
In response to the blast, Delhi police initiated a high alert, with surrounding states, including the densely populated Uttar Pradesh, following suit. Home Minister Amit Shah stated, We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account.
Prime Minister Modi extended his condolences to those affected by the tragedy, while opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called the news extremely heartbreaking. The Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is frequently visited by tourists and holds significance as the site where Indian Prime Ministers deliver their annual speeches on Independence Day.
