A devastating car explosion near the iconic Red Fort in Delhi has left eight people dead, prompting a high-level investigation into potential terror links. The incident, which occurred on Monday evening at a busy traffic signal, has raised alarms across India’s security apparatus. Authorities are probing connections to the recent arrests of seven men in Indian-administered Kashmir and the seizure of 2,900kg of explosives in Faridabad, a Delhi suburb. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack as a “heinous terror incident” orchestrated by “anti-national forces,” vowing to bring all perpetrators to justice. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah echoed these sentiments, with Shah instructing officials to hunt down every individual involved. The case has been transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), India’s counter-terrorism body, which is examining voluminous documents to uncover potential links. Media reports have speculated about a man in a viral photo, allegedly the car’s driver, who reportedly drove around the city for hours before the explosion. However, neither the NIA nor the police have confirmed these details. The blast, which occurred at 18:52 local time, left a trail of destruction, including a charred white Hyundai i20 and several other vehicles. The Red Fort remains closed as the investigation continues, with authorities working to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy.
