Delhi Police have launched an intensive investigation into Monday evening’s deadly car explosion near the Red Fort, confirming that the case will be handled under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)—the country’s primary anti-terrorism law.
The blast, the first major incident of its kind in the capital in more than ten years, killed at least eight people and left 20 injured, triggering heightened security across several Indian states.
Police Invoke Anti-Terror Law as Investigation Begins
Deputy Commissioner of Police Raja Banthia said a case has been registered under UAPA, the Explosives Act, and other criminal sections.
He added that the probe is in its “preliminary stage” and that further details will be shared only after forensic assessments.
Forensic teams worked through the night, examining debris and collecting samples from the sealed-off zone in Old Delhi, a busy commercial and tourist hub. Many shops in the area remained closed on Tuesday morning.
How the Blast Unfolded
According to police, a slow-moving car halted at a traffic signal near a metro station shortly before 7 p.m., when it suddenly exploded. Nearby vehicles were extensively damaged, and bystanders reported seeing flames and debris scatter across the congested street.
Authorities believe the car’s occupants were killed in the blast. Efforts are underway to identify the owner of the vehicle.
Outside Delhi’s Lok Nayak Hospital, distressed families gathered to identify victims.
“We only know my cousin is here. We don’t know if he is injured or how serious it is,” said one grieving relative.
Nation on Alert as Security Agencies Assess Motive
Home Minister Amit Shah said that “all angles” are being examined and assured that central agencies are working toward a swift conclusion.
The rare explosion has prompted enhanced security at key facilities nationwide, including airports and government buildings.
Red Fort Backdrop and Prime Minister’s Bhutan Visit
The blast occurred close to the iconic Red Fort, the 17th-century Mughal monument from which the Prime Minister delivers his annual Independence Day speech.
Despite the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proceeded with his scheduled visit to Bhutan early Tuesday. In April, Modi had cut short a foreign trip following a deadly attack on Hindu pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan-backed militants.
