Indian PM Calls Blast a ‘Horrific’ Attack
Speaking in Bhutan during an official visit, Modi said the tragedy has “deeply disturbed” the nation.
“I understand the pain of the families. The whole nation stands with them,” he said, stressing that investigative agencies will uncover every detail behind the blast.
Officials confirmed that the case has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) — India’s main anti-terror law — along with other criminal charges.
Police Say Terror Angle Under Probe
The explosion took place Monday evening when a slow-moving car stopped at a traffic signal and suddenly detonated. The blast set nearby cars on fire and left a chaotic scene of mangled metal and burned bodies near the Red Fort Metro Station.
Security forces sealed the area through the night as forensic experts collected samples and searched for evidence.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Raja Banthia said it was too early to speculate on the motive or culprits, noting the investigation is still at a “preliminary stage.”
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Death Toll Could Rise
Initial reports confirmed eight deaths, but some local media suggested the number may be higher.
Hospitals in central Delhi were flooded with injured survivors while relatives struggled to identify victims.
Scenes outside Lok Nayak Hospital were emotionally charged, as families searched for news of their missing loved ones.
India’s Worst Security Incident in Years
If confirmed as an attack, this would be the most serious incident in the capital since a 2011 bombing outside Delhi High Court that killed 14.
It also comes months after a deadly assault in India-occupied Kashmir, where 26 tourists lost their lives — a story previously covered on Pashto Times Politics.
Both India’s Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh vowed that the attackers would be punished, stating that results of the forensic report will be made public soon.
Eyewitnesses Describe Horror
Witnesses told AFP the vehicle burst into flames without warning.
“People were on fire… we were trying to save them, but many were burning inside the cars,” an eyewitness said.
Officials say they are still identifying the vehicle’s owner and the occupants, who are believed to have died in the blast.
Delhi Metro temporarily shut the nearby Red Fort Station as security was tightened across the city.
Red Fort — A Symbolic Target
The Red Fort is one of India’s most recognized monuments. Every year on Independence Day, the prime minister addresses the nation from its ramparts. The landmark also appears on India’s currency — adding symbolic weight to the attack’s location.
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