A car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort on Monday evening has prompted a response from the Taliban, who issued a statement expressing "deep sorrow" and wishing a "speedy recovery to the injured". The blast, which occurred around 7 p.m. near a traffic signal close to the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, resulted in at least 13 fatalities and 20 injuries.
The Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement conveying condolences to the bereaved families, as well as to the government and people of India and condemning the explosion. This message of sympathy is notable as the Taliban seeks to establish itself as a legitimate international actor after regaining power in Afghanistan four years ago.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and panic following the explosion. An ambulance driver recounted hearing a loud blast and witnessing several vehicles ablaze. Emergency teams, including firefighters, police, and forensic experts, quickly arrived to cordon off the area and begin investigations.
The explosion occurred as a Hyundai i20 sedan exploded near a traffic signal close to the Red Fort. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the blast.
The Taliban's response comes amidst rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stating that Pakistan was "in a state of war" after a suicide bombing in Islamabad that killed at least 12 people. Asif accused the Taliban government in Kabul of allowing militants to operate freely. The Islamabad bombing occurred on the same day the Taliban condemned the Delhi blast.
Adding another layer of complexity, an analyst has accused India of backing the Afghan Taliban to destabilize Pakistan. According to this perspective, the Delhi blast is a false flag operation intended to gain public support for the BJP in the Bihar elections.
The rare expression of sympathy from the Taliban regarding the Delhi blast has been contrasted with their silence regarding the Islamabad bombing. No group has claimed responsibility for the Islamabad bombing.
The situation remains tense, with Pakistan alleging that the Afghan Taliban are harboring anti-state militants. Afghanistan denies these claims.
