Mumbai, November 23, 2025 – Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asserted that Pakistan was behind the recent car bombing near the Red Fort in Delhi, which resulted in 15 fatalities and numerous injuries. Speaking at a commemorative event in Mumbai ahead of the 17th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks, Fadnavis stated that Pakistan, realizing it cannot win a direct war against India, is resorting to proxy warfare to destabilize the nation.
"Pakistan knows it cannot defeat India in a straightforward war, and hence the terrorist attack… and the recent blast in Delhi took place," Fadnavis said. He lauded Indian security agencies for their vigilance in preventing a larger terror plot, claiming that the terrorists intended to "detonate bombs in every corner of India". He added that Mumbai was among the intended targets.
The Delhi blast occurred on November 10, 2025, when a car exploded near the Red Fort, a historical landmark in Delhi. Preliminary investigations suggest that the blast was a suicide attack involving ammonium nitrate fuel oil and other explosives. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is currently investigating the case. So far, the NIA has arrested six individuals in connection with the blast, including doctors from Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh.
Fadnavis criticized past policies, suggesting that a strong military response, similar to the "Operation Sindoor," after the 2008 Mumbai attacks could have deterred subsequent terror incidents. Operation Sindoor was reportedly a military action targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for authorizing cross-border military actions against terrorism, asserting that "terror and talks cannot coexist".
The Chief Minister also recalled the pain of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, emphasizing that it was an assault on India's economic and national strength. He said that targeting Mumbai was an assault on India's economic and national strength. "Though 17 years have passed, there is still pain in our hearts," Fadnavis added.
While Fadnavis has directly accused Pakistan, the Indian government has not yet officially confirmed or denied Pakistan's involvement in the Delhi blast. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has stated that the investigation is ongoing and every aspect is being thoroughly probed.
Meanwhile, investigations into the Delhi blast have revealed a network of encrypted communications and bomb-making tutorials. Investigators are exploring links to previous attacks in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. A foreign handler is alleged to have sent bomb-making videos to one of the arrested suspects. Delhi's Lieutenant Governor has directed police to maintain records of ammonium nitrate sales and enhance security measures in public areas.
