The Indian government has officially termed the recent car explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort as a “terrorist attack,” rejecting initial speculation that it might have been an accident.
Officials described the incident as a “deliberate act of terror”, creating panic in the capital.
According to a BBC report, the Indian government formally declared the incident a “terrorist attack” during an emergency cabinet meeting held on Wednesday night, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
After the meeting, the cabinet issued a statement condemning the attack, saying, “The nation has witnessed a heinous act of terrorism carried out by anti-national forces.”
The government pledged to ensure swift justice for the victims, directing law enforcement agencies to act with highest level of professionalism and urgency. The statement further denounced the loss of innocent lives as “barbaric and cowardly,” reiterating India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.
The explosion occurred on Monday evening, near the Red Fort Metro Station, when a Hyundai i20 car stopped at a traffic signal and suddenly blew up. At least nine people were killed and 20 others injured, including the three individuals inside the vehicle. Delhi Police suspect that explosives were planted in the car and that it was a possible suicide attack.
Delhi Police Commissioner Shri Satish Golchha said the blast took place in one of the busiest areas of the city, just as most residents were returning home from work. “The damage could have been far worse. We are examining every possible angle,” he said.
Investigators have identified one of the prime suspects as Dr Umar Mohammad, a medical professional from Pulwama, South Kashmir. His photograph was released to the media on Tuesday. Police believe Dr Mohammad fled to Delhi after learning that two of his close associates, Dr Adil Ahmad Rather and Dr Muzammil Shakeel, had been arrested during a joint anti-terror operation in Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana earlier that day.
Officials suspect that Umar, fearing arrest, may have triggered the explosion in panic. Following the incident, the Indian government placed Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Kolkata and Chennai on high alert, enhancing security across major urban centres.
Home Minister Amit Shah warned that the government would leave “no stone unturned” in uncovering the network behind the attack and promised that updates on the investigation would be made public soon.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow for the victims and vowed full government support for their families. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi also condemned the incident, calling it “heart-wrenching and tragic.”
