India’s federal counter-terrorism agency announced Sunday that it has apprehended a resident of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in connection with the recent Delhi car explosion, which resulted in 12 fatalities and injured at least 20 others.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) identified the suspect as Amir Rashid Ali, stating that he was detained in Delhi and that the vehicle involved was registered under his name.
Ali is accused of orchestrating the conspiracy with Umar Un Nabi, an alleged suicide bomber from Pulwama district in IIOJK.
Authorities revealed Ali traveled to Delhi to help purchase the vehicle, which was used as a “vehicle-borne improvised explosive device” to carry out the attack.
Additionally, officials seized another vehicle linked to Nabi for further investigation. They have already interrogated 73 witnesses, including individuals wounded in the blast.
Last week, the Indian government labeled the incident as a “terror attack” and committed to quickly bring those responsible to justice.
The blast took place outside Delhi’s historic Red Fort—marking the first such incident in the city since 2011—and was the most serious security breach since the April 22 attack at Pahalgam, IIOJK, which left 26 civilians dead.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Delhi explosion a “conspiracy” and assured that justice would be served.
India’s Home Minister, Amit Shah, directed authorities to pursue every suspect involved.
This explosion occurred four days after another explosion in Srinagar, IIOJK, which killed at least nine and injured over two dozen people. Indian officials indicated that the Srinagar blast was caused by a cache of confiscated explosives detonating inside a police station, mostly affecting police personnel and forensic teams inspecting the materials.
Tag: blast
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India arrests IIOJK resident over Delhi car blast
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Delhi car blast under anti-terror law investigation
Indian authorities are investigating a fatal car explosion in Delhi using the country’s primary anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, according to reports on Tuesday. The law targets acts related to terrorism and threats to national sovereignty and integrity, allowing for investigation and prosecution of such activities. These reports, based on police records and media sources, have not been independently verified by Reuters.
The blast occurred near the historic Red Fort on Monday evening, resulting in at least eight deaths and 20 injuries. It was a rare incident in the heavily fortified city of over 30 million residents, prompting heightened alerts across several states and critical infrastructures.
Delhi’s Federal Home Minister Amit Shah stated that authorities are examining all possible angles and expect to reach conclusions soon. The police described the incident as involving a slow-moving vehicle that halted at a traffic light before exploding shortly before 7 p.m. local time (1:30 p.m. GMT). Vehicles in the vicinity were also significantly damaged.
The scene of the explosion was strewn with wreckage, mangled bodies, and damaged cars on a busy street close to a metro station in Delhi’s old quarter. The Red Fort, a 17th-century Mughal-era monument blending Persian and Indian architectural styles, is a prominent tourist attraction and a traditional venue for the Prime Minister’s annual Independence Day address on August 15.
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Eight Dead in Car Explosion Near Delhi’s Red Fort
Eight individuals lost their lives and 20 others sustained injuries on Monday when a car detonated near the historic Red Fort in Delhi, India, according to police reports. This rare explosion occurred in a city guarded heavily, with a population exceeding 30 million.
Authorities issued alerts at major train stations nationwide, as well as in Mumbai, India’s financial hub, and in Uttar Pradesh, the neighboring state to Delhi, all of which were placed on heightened security.
“All possibilities are being explored,” stated Federal Home Minister Amit Shah, adding that security agencies are close to reaching a conclusion.
A man identified only as Salman, a former owner of the vehicle, was detained in connection with the incident, NDTV reported, without providing additional details. Reuters was unable to verify this information immediately.
The blast took place at a red traffic light, where the wreckage of multiple cars and mangled bodies could be seen on a busy street near a metro station in Delhi’s old quarter. Police arrived promptly to secure the area and disperse onlookers.
Delhi Police Chief Satish Golcha explained, “A slow-moving vehicle halted at a red light. An explosion occurred within that vehicle, damaging nearby cars as well.” The explosion happened shortly before 7 p.m. local time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sympathies for those affected, wishing a swift recovery for the injured and assuring the public that assistance was being provided.
The incident caused fires in at least six vehicles and three auto-rickshaws, as reported by Delhi’s deputy fire chief.
Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud blast. One woman, Suman Mishra, recounted, “I was at the metro station, walking down the stairs, when I heard an explosion. I turned to see flames, and people started running in all directions.”
Wali Ur Rehman, who was at his shop nearby, said, “The explosion was intense enough to make me fall. It was very powerful.” Approximately 30 to 40 ambulances responded to the scene, which was cordoned off after the fire was extinguished.
The U.S. Embassy in Delhi issued a security warning to its nationals, advising avoidance of crowds and areas around the Red Fort, urging vigilance in popular tourist spots.
The Red Fort, locally called Lal Qila, is a sprawling 17th-century Mughal fortress that blends Persian and Indian architectural styles. It remains a major attraction for tourists year-round.
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Explosion near Palm Springs health center claims one life
Image showing police tape at an accident site. — Reuters/File A bomb detonated near a reproductive health clinic in Palm Springs, California, claiming one life, according to Mayor Ron DeHarte’s statement to Reuters on Saturday.
ABC News reported that, based on information from law enforcement and the clinic itself, at least five individuals suffered injuries due to the explosion.
The Palm Springs city government announced via Facebook that the explosion occurred shortly before 11 a.m. PDT (1800 GMT).
“A bomb has been confirmed to have been either inside or near a vehicle,” DeHarte stated.
The FBI’s Los Angeles office confirmed in a social media post that it is looking into the incident, with bomb specialists dispatched to the site.
Palm Springs is located approximately 100 miles (161 km) east of Los Angeles.
Governor Gavin Newsom of California has been informed about the explosion, as stated by his office.
The Associated Press reported that the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic sustained damage; however, the staff members were unharmed. This information was provided by Dr. Maher Abdallah.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.