Tragic Car Explosion in New Delhi
At least nine individuals lost their lives in a car explosion on Monday night near the iconic Red Fort in New Delhi, India. The situation is currently under investigation under the country’s anti-terrorism laws. Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems to believe that the explosion was intentional.
As reported by New Delhi Police, the blast occurred just before 7 PM local time when a Hyundai i20 was stopped at a traffic light near the Red Fort metro station. In the aftermath, security heightened across metro stations and government buildings in New Delhi, including the international airport.
The explosion sparked a fire that damaged several parked vehicles nearby. Beyond the nine fatalities, more than 20 people were reported injured.
An eyewitness recounted the scene, describing the chaos: “The rickshaw exploded and people’s body parts were scattered, making rescue attempts extremely difficult. I saw individuals with severe injuries on the road.”
Another observer added, “I noticed severed hands and even the steering wheel being blown off. Among the victims were street vendors and taxi drivers, and sadly, some didn’t make it.”
A local mortuary worker expressed the horror of the situation: “The bodies that arrived were hard to identify. Some were merely chunks of flesh, and many had their organs torn apart. It was truly dreadful.”
Home Minister Amit Shah announced that CCTV footage from the area would play a crucial role in the investigation. Local reports indicated that forensic teams were examining the blast site, which was cordoned off for safety.
Shah stated, “We are keeping all possibilities open and will conduct a comprehensive investigation. All avenues will be explored, and results will be made public soon.”
The police confirmed that the case would fall under the Unlawful Activities Act, India’s primary anti-terrorism legislation. This law empowers authorities to detain and question suspects and involves the National Investigation Agency, the nation’s main counter-terrorism body.
During a visit to Bhutan, Prime Minister Modi shared that he was grappling with a “heavy heart” due to the explosion. He stated, “This horrifying incident has shaken our society deeply.” He also assured that the investigation would seek to uncover the truth behind the violence, promising, “Those behind this conspiracy will face justice.”
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh seemed convinced that the explosion was a purposeful attack, asserting, “I want to reassure everyone that the perpetrators will not evade justice.”
Reports indicated that the Hyundai was likely packed with explosives, and two terrorists may have been involved, detonating the bomb prematurely in a moment of panic.
In response to the bombing, Indian police conducted raids on suspected terrorist cells across the nation. In the northern city of Faridabad, they recovered a significant stockpile of chemicals suitable for bomb-making.
Authorities mentioned that the Faridabad operations also seized electronics possibly intended as detonators, along with firearms and a considerable amount of ammunition.
Additionally, NDTV highlighted that police were intensifying security measures, conducting extensive vehicle checks across the Kashmir Valley, and setting up checkpoints along the Nepal border.
Haryana Superintendent of Police OP Singh advised residents to remain calm while urging them to report any sightings of suspicious individuals or unclaimed items.
