Delhi: Red Fort attack, terrorism haunts Kashmir
A car bomb that exploded yesterday near the historic Red Fort, a symbol of Indian independence, killed 13 people and wounded more than 20. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far, but authorities suspect a jihadi attack linked to Kashmir, following the discovery of three tonnes of explosives in Faridabad. However, "all angles" remain open, according to federal Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah. “Let us continue to pray for peace and safety across our beloved nation,” reads a statement by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India.
New Delhi (AsiaNews) – An explosion was reported last night near Delhi’s historic Red Fort, the site where Indian prime ministers deliver their annual Independence Day address to the nation.
The blast left 13 people dead and more than 20 wounded, rattling the capital. The authorities responded by declaring a state of maximum alert.
According to preliminary information, the incident occurred shortly before 7:00 pm, near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort metro station, in Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad), a high-traffic area considered sensitive to religious tensions due to the presence of the Jama Mosque and the often crowded Chandni Chowk market.
The blast was triggered by a moving car, which, according to a preliminary investigation, had been parked near the Red Fort for over three hours before it was moved.
The vehicle is believed to have exploded while stopped at a traffic light. The blast destroyed six cars, four motorcycles, and three e-rickshaws, sending debris and pieces of metal tens of metres in the air.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but Indian authorities believe the likelihood of a terrorist action is high.
Federal Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah said that law enforcement agencies are examining "all angles" and “not ruling out any possibility."
A Delhi Police official added, speaking anonymously, that “the needle of suspicion points in the direction of terror groups.”
Delhi Police opened a case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act, which cover terrorist acts.
Investigators have already identified the vehicle involved, a Hyundai i20 that had changed owners several times, the latest a resident of Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, a region known for its instability and high number of attacks, the latest in April of this year in Pahalgam, when more than 20 Indian tourists were killed.
In the hours following the attack, security forces took the mother and two brothers of the main suspect into custody to determine any possible links to armed groups.
Meanwhile, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) ordered the closure of the Red Fort for three days, until 13 November, for security reasons and to protect the historic site.
The attack comes at a time of high regional tension. Yesterday, police in Jammu and Kashmir seized some three tonnes of explosives in two residential buildings in Faridabad, in the state of Haryana, south of Delhi.
The seized material included 350 kg of ammonium nitrate, a fertiliser often used to make bombs.
So far, no direct link has been found between the Faridabad seizure and the Delhi attack.
According to some observers, the dynamics and location of the attack indicate a clear intent to strike a national symbol.
The Red Fort is the venue where prime ministers make their annual Independence Day address, and has been targeted by armed groups in the past. Its location in the heart of Old Delhi, during peak traffic hours, could have resulted in a much higher death toll.
The political context adds further pressures since the attack comes seven months after the Pahalgam massacre, when 26 Indian civilians were killed by militants from a group called the “Resistance Front”.
Following this attack, Narendra Modi’s government launched "Operation Sindoor," a series of air and missile strikes on targets in Pakistan.
Yesterday’s explosion risks causing a new military escalation with Pakistan whose capital was also struck today by a terrorist attack, which is still being investigated, while the country slides towards greater militarism.
In the past few months, India has repeatedly reiterated that any terrorist attack carried out by groups based in Pakistan will be considered “an act of war.”
The Catholic Bishops' Conference (CBCI) reacted expressing its "deep shock" and "profound sadness" over the incident, which leaves "the nation grief-stricken.”
“We convey our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in this unfortunate incident," reads the statement issued by the CBCI.
“We appeal to all citizens to remain vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious activities or unattended objects to the police or local authorities,” it went on to say.
Finally, “Let us come together as one community, uphold peace, and cooperate to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens. Let us continue to pray for peace and safety across our beloved nation," it added.
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