New Delhi – The Indian government has officially declared the recent explosion near Delhi's Red Fort as a terror incident. The blast, which occurred on Monday, November 10th, 2025, has claimed the lives of twelve people and left more than 30 injured.
The declaration came after a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting included the attendance of Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, among other key officials. The Union Cabinet observed a two-minute silence in remembrance of the victims before formally condemning the attack.
In a strongly worded statement, the government denounced the explosion as a "dastardly and cowardly act perpetrated by anti-national forces". The statement also reiterated India's "unwavering commitment to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations". The government conveyed its "profound grief over the loss of innocent lives" and offered condolences to the bereaved families, while also commending the "prompt efforts of medical personnel and emergency responders".
The explosion occurred on the evening of November 10th, when a white Hyundai i20 detonated near the Red Fort Metro Station on Netaji Subhash Marg, a highly congested area bordering the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk. The force of the blast damaged multiple vehicles, shattered windows in nearby buildings, and sent shockwaves through the area.
Initial findings suggest that the car was driven by Dr. Umar Muhammad, a 32-year-old medical professional previously associated with Al Falah University in Faridabad. Authorities are investigating a potential link between the blast and a suspected Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) module. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), India's anti-terrorism squad, has taken over the investigation and filed a case under the country's anti-terror law, granting them expansive powers for raids and arrests.
Police had earlier detained five people in the Pulwama district of Kashmir in connection with the attack. Sources indicate that investigators are exploring whether the driver of the car was connected to the same terror cell and if the attack was a response to recent arrests and raids where police uncovered 2,900kg of explosives materials, chemicals, detonators and guns. At least seven people, including two Kashmiri doctors, were arrested as part of the terror cell raids.
CCTV footage has emerged capturing the moment of the explosion. The footage shows a sudden fireball erupting from the Hyundai i20 amidst heavy traffic. Preliminary post-mortem findings indicate that victims sustained severe injuries, including multiple fractures, head trauma, and extensive internal damage.
The Red Fort explosion marks the deadliest terrorist attack in Delhi in over a decade. It is the first terror incident in India since an attack in April when gunmen killed more than 20 Hindu tourists. India blamed Pakistan for masterminding that attack and retaliated with cross-border missiles targeting alleged JeM camps.
