Cabinet Confirms Red Fort Blast a Terror Attack, Orders Swift Probe to Bring Perpetrators to Justice

Two days after the deadly car explosion outside Delhi’s Red Fort that claimed 13 lives, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday described it as a “heinous terror incident perpetrated by anti-national forces” — marking the government’s first official confirmation that the blast was an act of terror.

Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet observed a two-minute silence in memory of the victims of the November 10 explosion. Authorities believe Red Fort Blast, a Terror Attack, which also left several people injured, was triggered by a suspected improvised explosive device (IED).

The Cabinet has directed that the investigation be carried out with “utmost urgency and professionalism” to ensure that “the perpetrators, their collaborators, and sponsors” are identified and brought to justice without delay. “The situation continues to be closely monitored at the highest levels of the government,” the statement added.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is leading the probe into the explosion, while the Jammu and Kashmir Police have reportedly detained over 500 individuals for questioning.

So far, the government has refrained from naming any organisation or country behind the attack. Meanwhile, DNA tests have confirmed that Dr. Umar Nabi Bhat, suspected to have been driving the i20 car that exploded near Red Fort, was among those killed — his samples matched those of his mother, according to PTI and ANI reports.