Delhi Blast: Police Probe Possible Kashmir Connection

Published: 13 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Three days after a car exploded near Delhi’s historic Red Fort, killing eight people, investigators are exploring whether the blast is connected to recent arrests in Indian-administered Kashmir and the seizure of a massive cache of explosives in a Delhi suburb.

Authorities confirmed that seven men had recently been arrested, including two doctors, from Kashmir and the northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Police said the operation uncovered weapons, including automatic rifles, and 2,900kg of bomb-making material in Faridabad, a city on the outskirts of Delhi.

The arrests were described by Kashmir police as part of a “white collar terror ecosystem,” and authorities are reportedly seeking additional suspects linked to the network. Investigators are now examining whether the Red Fort explosion is related to this case.

On Wednesday, India’s federal cabinet labelled the incident “a heinous terror act, perpetrated by anti-national forces.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the explosion as part of a “conspiracy” and warned that “all those responsible will be brought to justice.” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah echoed similar sentiments. Mr Shah, responsible for internal security, said he had instructed officials “to hunt down each and every culprit behind this incident.”

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), India’s counter-terrorism law enforcement body, has taken over the case. Police have filed charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), in addition to the Explosives Act and the Indian Penal Code. However, neither the NIA nor Delhi police have yet issued a formal statement or held a press conference, leaving many details unverified.

Leaked reports and media speculation have fueled numerous theories. One focus of the investigation is a man appearing in a widely circulated photograph, believed by some outlets to be the car’s driver. According to reports, he allegedly drove through the city for hours and parked the vehicle near the blast site for three hours before the explosion. These details have not been officially confirmed.

The blast occurred at 18:52 local time (13:22 GMT) on Monday, when a slow-moving car stopped at a busy traffic signal and erupted in flames. Footage from the scene showed a charred white Hyundai i20, along with several other damaged vehicles, including an autorickshaw and cycle rickshaws. Home Minister Shah confirmed the make and model of the car but did not provide details about its owner or the cause of the explosion.

The Red Fort, a symbol of India’s independence and a major tourist attraction, remains closed as authorities continue their investigation.

The NIA has stated that it is reviewing “voluminous documents” related to the case and is pursuing every possible lead, including potential links between the Faridabad seizure, the Kashmir arrests, and the car blast. As the investigation progresses, officials have stressed that no conclusions can yet be drawn.

The incident has raised urgent questions about security in India’s capital and the capability of authorities to prevent attacks. While speculation continues in media reports, officials emphasize that the investigation is ongoing and that confirmed information will be released when available.

As Delhi reels from the tragedy, the government faces mounting pressure to ensure that those responsible are swiftly identified and held accountable. The coming days are expected to bring further updates as investigators probe the connections between recent arrests, seizures, and the deadly blast.