A powerful car explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi on the evening of November 10, has sent shockwaves through India’s capital, leaving at least 12 people dead and over 20 injured.
Initial investigations by Delhi Police and intelligence agencies suggest that the blast was caused by an improperly assembled improvised explosive device (IED) inside the vehicle. Intelligence reports indicate the suspects panicked and mishandled the explosives, leading to an accidental detonation rather than a fully planned suicide attack.
The key suspect identified is Umar Nabi, a doctor from Jammu and Kashmir, who abandoned his phone and went underground three days prior to the blast. Authorities also arrested two associates, Dr Mujammil Shakeel and Dr Adil Rather, linked to the suspected terror module, following raids across multiple states.
NIA takes over Delhi blast probe
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe, and Delhi Police have registered cases under multiple laws, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act.
Security forces, including the National Security Guard (NSG) and forensic experts, are deeply involved in the investigation. A large cache of bomb-making material was recovered recently from Faridabad, Haryana, which forensic analysis links to the Red Fort blast. The government has placed Delhi and several other states on high alert, tightening security around sensitive locations, airports, metro stations, and government buildings.
Those responsible will not be spared: PM
In the political response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the attack as a “conspiracy” aimed at destabilizing peace and vowed that those responsible “will not be spared.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired several high-level security review meetings and promised stringent action against all involved. He also visited hospitals to meet victims and families affected by the blast, assuring prompt and full support.
In the aftermath, the Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has also visited the injured victims and assured that all necessary medical treatment would be provided swiftly and efficiently.
Meanwhile, investigators continue to unravel the networks behind the attack, focusing on the radicalized group of doctors linked to the terror module, who coordinated via encrypted messaging platforms.