Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation from Bhutan where he is on a two-day visit to strengthen bilateral ties, expressed profound grief over the devastating car explosion in Delhi that claimed at least 8 lives on Monday evening. In his first public remarks on the incident, Modi emphasised the government's commitment to uncovering the truth and ensuring accountability, without explicitly labelling the blast as a terror attack. His assured high-stakes investigation amid heightened national security concerns.
"The Delhi incident has shaken every one. My heart goes out to all the affected families, i understand their pain. the whole nation is standing by them. The whole night, yesterday I was in touch with all the agencies probing it. I was collecting information. Our agencies will get to the bottom of the case. None of the conspirators behind this will be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice," Modi stated during an event in Thimphu, the Bhutanese capital. The Prime Minister, who was briefed extensively by Home Minister Amit Shah overnight, reiterated that the entire country stands in solidarity with the bereaved families. Notably, while police have invoked stringent anti-terrorism laws in their probe, there has been no official confirmation from the government on whether the explosion constitutes a terror act or if any specific group bears responsibility.
The explosion occurred around 6.52 PM on November 10 near the bustling Red Fort in Old Delhi, a historic and densely populated area teeming with evening commuters and shoppers. Eyewitnesses described a deafening boom from a parked Hyundai i20 sedan, which shattered windows and sent debris flying across the street, igniting fires that briefly engulfed nearby stalls. Initial reports indicate over 20 others suffered injuries. All injured were rushed o nearby hospitals like Ram Manohar Lohia and GTB. The site, cordoned off by security forces, revealed a charred vehicle frame twisted amid scattered personal belongings, evoking memories of past urban tragedies but marking a rare violent flare-up in the capital in recent years.
As the investigation progresses, details are still sketchy, however details of the car's owner has been asserted - suspected to be a resident of Faridabad with alleged ties to a shadowy "white-collar" terror network operating from the National Capital Region. Sources suggest the vehicle was loaded with improvised explosives, possibly sourced from industrial chemicals, and preliminary forensics point to a remote detonation mechanism. A Jammu and Kashmir-based doctor from Pulwama has emerged as a key suspect, with his image circulated among Delhi Police and intelligence units for further leads. Several states, including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, have been placed on high alert, with enhanced patrols at public transport hubs and monuments. While no group has claimed responsibility, the probe's invocation of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act hints at potential cross-border linkages, though officials urge the public to avoid speculation as teams comb through CCTV footage and digital trails for breakthroughs.
