India declares Red Fort blast in New Delhi 'terrorist incident'

India has officially confirmed that the explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort, which killed 12 people on Monday, is being investigated as a terrorist attack.

A statement of the cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ended growing speculation about the nature of the incident, affirming that the blast was a deliberate act of terror. The explosion occurred during rush hour outside one of the capital’s most visited landmarks, sending panic through one of Delhi’s busiest areas.

Authorities said the blast was caused by a car caught in heavy traffic. The force of the explosion threw several people into the air, ignited nearby vehicles, and left dozens injured. The death toll has risen to 12 after several victims succumbed to their wounds. More than 30 others were reported injured.

It was the most deadly terror attack in Delhi in more than ten years. In a statement released Wednesday night, the cabinet condemned what it described as a “cowardly act” that took innocent lives, promising that those responsible would be brought to justice.

The National Investigation Agency, India’s top anti-terrorism unit, has taken charge of the probe, and police have filed a case under the country’s anti-terror law. The classification allows investigators greater authority to conduct raids, interrogations, and arrests.

While the government’s statement offered no additional details on the suspected perpetrators, police earlier confirmed that five individuals from the Pulwama district in India-Illegally Occupied Kashmir had been detained in connection with the attack.