At least eight people were killed and 20 others injured on Monday after a car exploded near the historic Red Fort in New Delhi, prompting Indian authorities to place major train stations across the country, as well as Mumbai and the state of Uttar Pradesh on high alert.
“All angles” are being investigated and security agencies would come to a conclusion soon, Home Minister Amit Shah announced after the explosion. Local media said police had arrested a previous owner of the car and were seeking information on the current owner.
“A slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged,” said Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, adding the blast occurred just before 7 p.m. Delhi’s deputy fire chief said at least six vehicles and three auto rickshaws had caught fire due to the explosion.
The case filed by the police is probing the explosion under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, a law used to investigate and prosecute acts related to terrorism.
In a statement posted on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to those who had lost loved ones. “May the injured recover at the earliest. Those affected are being assisted by authorities,” he said.
The U.S. Embassy in Delhi issued a security alert to its citizens after the explosion, asking them to avoid crowds and areas surrounding the Red Fort, and to stay alert in places frequented by tourists.