Indian authorities have confirmed that the explosion outside the iconic Red Fort in Delhi on November 10, which killed 12 people¹, is being treated as a “terror incident” perpetrated by “anti-national forces.” The blast, which occurred during rush hour in one of the busiest areas of the capital, has raised fears of escalating tensions between India and neighboring Pakistan, amid an ongoing dispute over the Kashmir region.

The car bomb, which detonated in bumper-to-bumper traffic, sent bodies flying and caused nearby vehicles to catch fire. By Wednesday, the death toll had risen to 12 as several victims succumbed to their injuries, and over 30 people were reported wounded. The explosion is the deadliest terrorist attack in Delhi in over a decade.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 12, India’s cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condemned the attack as a “dastardly and cowardly act that has led to the loss of innocent lives.” The statement confirmed the growing speculation that the explosion was linked to terrorism.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and India’s anti-terrorism squad have taken charge of the investigation. A case has been filed under the country’s stringent anti-terrorism laws, granting investigators broad powers to conduct raids and make arrests. While the cabinet statement did not reveal specific details about the nature of the attack, earlier in the day, police confirmed the detention of five individuals in the Pulwama district of India-administered-Kashmir in connection with the incident.

Though no direct link has been established, sources suggest that investigators are exploring a possible connection to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), an militant group based in Pakistan that has long been active in the disputed Kashmir region. Police raids earlier this week uncovered over 2,900 kilograms of explosives, chemicals, detonators, and firearms, leading to the arrest of at least seven individuals, including two Kashmiri doctors. Authorities suspect that the car bomb attack in Delhi could be a retaliatory act in response to these raids.

The Red Fort explosion follows a surge in tensions between India and Pakistan, which has been marked by violence and military confrontations. In April, gunmen killed over 20 Hindu tourists in a targeted shooting attack, with India blaming Pakistan for orchestrating the assault. In retaliation, India launched cross-border missile strikes aimed at JeM camps, further escalating hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Pakistan denied involvement in the April attack and responded with missile and drone strikes, bringing both countries to the brink of war.

The confirmation of Monday’s bombing as a terrorist act raises concerns that it could worsen relations between India and Pakistan, threatening regional stability. In response to the attack, the Indian government has reiterated its commitment to a “zero tolerance” policy towards terrorism. “Everyone involved in this act will face the full wrath of our agencies,” vowed India’s Home Minister Amit Shah.

Meanwhile, on the heels of the Red Fort explosion, a suicide bombing in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, targeted a court complex, killing at least 12 people. The Pakistan Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused India of “state terrorism.”

As the investigation into the Delhi attack continues, India remains on high alert, with authorities pledging to hunt down every individual involved in the bombing. The incident has once again spotlighted the volatile and fragile security situation in the region, where the specter of terrorism and cross-border conflict looms large.

1. Death toll subsequently rose to 15. ↩︎