NEW DELHI: Indian police are investigating a deadly car explosion in New Delhi under an anti-terrorism law, officials have said, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to apprehend those responsible for what he called a “conspiracy” behind the blast.

India’s anti-terrorism force, the National Investigation Agency, is yet to give exact details of what caused Monday’s incident near the historic Red Fort, one of India’s most well-known landmarks, and the site of the prime minister’s annual Independence Day speech.

Delhi police have invoked India’s primary “counterterrorism” law, registering a case under Sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA, along with provisions of the Explosives Act. This means that even though officials have yet to formally confirm the cause of the blast or name suspects, they appear to be treating the explosion as a potential act of “terrorism”, not just a criminal or accidental blast.

‘Agencies to get to bottom of conspiracy’

“I assure everyone that the agencies will get to the bottom of the entire conspiracy,” Modi said, in a speech during a state visit to neighbouring Bhutan, without giving further details. “All those involved will be brought to justice.” Indian authorities have stepped short of calling the blast an attack, saying they were awaiting forensic analysis.

Opposition parties demand a thorough probe to reassure ‘transparent action’

The explosion on Monday came hours after Indian police said they had arrested a gang and seized explosive materials and assault rifles.

Police said the men were ‘linked with Jaish-e-Mohammed’ and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind’.

Both groups are listed as terrorist organisations in India.

Home Minister Amit Shah, after chairing security talks following the blast, said he had instructed officials “to hunt down each and every culprit behind this incident”.

“Everyone involved in this act will face the full wrath of our agencies,” he added.

New Delhi’s deputy chief fire officer AK Malik told journalists shortly after the explosion that eight people had been killed. The Press Trust of India news agency reported on Tuesday that the death toll had risen to 12, although that figure has not been confirmed.

Opposition demands probe

On the other hand, amid Bihar elections, opposition leaders of India’s parliament have demanded a thorough probe into the Red Fort blast. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi are among the Opposition leaders who sought a ‘prompt and thorough investigation’ to ‘reassure the public with fair and transparent action’.

It was the first significant security incident since a shooting attack in late April that left 26 mainly Hindu civilians dead at the tourist site of Pahalgam in India-occupied Kashmir, triggering clashes with Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2025