Terror Strike in Delhi: Indian Government Declares Red Fort Blast a National Security Threat
A devastating explosion outside India's iconic Red Fort in Delhi on Monday has claimed 12 lives and left over 30 others injured, with the government confirming that it is treating the incident as a "terrorist attack" perpetrated by "anti-national forces".
Eyewitnesses described the blast, which occurred during peak traffic hours, as a car explosion that sent bodies flying into the air, causing nearby vehicles to catch fire. The scale of destruction was immense, with several people succumbing to their injuries in hospitals. While authorities initially suspected the incident might be linked to a road accident or an accident involving a vehicle, mounting evidence points towards a deliberate act of terrorism.
The Indian government's cabinet statement on Wednesday night condemned the "dastardly and cowardly" attack, stating that it was aimed at inflicting maximum damage and harm to innocent lives. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is leading the probe into the incident, which has been linked to an alleged "interstate and transnational terror cell" connected to the Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad.
As investigators dig deeper, five people have already been detained in connection with the attack, including individuals from Kashmir. The police claim that they uncovered over 2,900kg of explosives materials, chemicals, detonators, and firearms during raids early on Monday morning. While officials are still assessing whether the driver of the car involved in the blast was part of the same terror cell, it is clear that this incident marks a resurgence in terrorism in India.
This latest attack comes amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, with both countries engaging in a cycle of aggression and retaliation. The Red Fort explosion has rekindled fears of another major conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations, which had been brought to the brink of war just months ago after an attack on Hindu tourists in April.
The Indian government's decision to declare this incident as terrorism-related will grant investigators greater powers to carry out raids and arrests. As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how this latest attack will be addressed by India and Pakistan.
A devastating explosion outside India's iconic Red Fort in Delhi on Monday has claimed 12 lives and left over 30 others injured, with the government confirming that it is treating the incident as a "terrorist attack" perpetrated by "anti-national forces".
Eyewitnesses described the blast, which occurred during peak traffic hours, as a car explosion that sent bodies flying into the air, causing nearby vehicles to catch fire. The scale of destruction was immense, with several people succumbing to their injuries in hospitals. While authorities initially suspected the incident might be linked to a road accident or an accident involving a vehicle, mounting evidence points towards a deliberate act of terrorism.
The Indian government's cabinet statement on Wednesday night condemned the "dastardly and cowardly" attack, stating that it was aimed at inflicting maximum damage and harm to innocent lives. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is leading the probe into the incident, which has been linked to an alleged "interstate and transnational terror cell" connected to the Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad.
As investigators dig deeper, five people have already been detained in connection with the attack, including individuals from Kashmir. The police claim that they uncovered over 2,900kg of explosives materials, chemicals, detonators, and firearms during raids early on Monday morning. While officials are still assessing whether the driver of the car involved in the blast was part of the same terror cell, it is clear that this incident marks a resurgence in terrorism in India.
This latest attack comes amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, with both countries engaging in a cycle of aggression and retaliation. The Red Fort explosion has rekindled fears of another major conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations, which had been brought to the brink of war just months ago after an attack on Hindu tourists in April.
The Indian government's decision to declare this incident as terrorism-related will grant investigators greater powers to carry out raids and arrests. As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how this latest attack will be addressed by India and Pakistan.