At least nine people were killed and several others injured when a car exploded near the historic Red Fort in India’s capital, New Delhi, on Monday evening.
The explosion occurred shortly before 7pm local time (1:30pm GMT) near the Red Fort metro station, sending bodies flying across the street and triggering a fire that engulfed several nearby vehicles.
Local media reported that investigators were analysing CCTV footage from the area to determine the cause of the explosion and track the vehicle involved.
Delhi Police have registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), India’s principal anti-terrorism law, along with the Explosives Act and other criminal provisions.
Federal Home Minister Amit Shah said authorities were investigating the incident “from all angles” to determine whether terrorism was involved.
Police confirmed that the car’s registered owner had been detained in Gurugram, a city neighbouring Delhi.
Following the blast, authorities issued high alerts at major railway stations across India, including in Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh, and tightened security checks throughout New Delhi, particularly at train stations.
It was the first such major explosion in the capital in more than a decade.
