DID Press: Indian police have launched an investigation under the country’s strict anti-terrorism law following a deadly explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday evening that killed at least nine people and injured 20 others.
Indian media reported that Delhi Police are probing the incident under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) — India’s primary legal instrument for countering terrorism and threats to national security.
According to police officials, a vehicle carrying explosives stopped near a traffic light opposite the main gate of the Red Fort and exploded just before 7 p.m. The blast was powerful enough to set several nearby vehicles on fire.
India’s Home Minister Amit Shah said that “all aspects of the incident” are being examined and that security agencies will release their findings soon.
The Red Fort, or Lal Qila, is one of India’s most iconic Mughal-era monuments, built in the 17th century in a fusion of Persian and Indian architectural styles. It attracts thousands of domestic and international tourists each year.
The explosion comes amid heightened security measures in the Indian capital in recent months, following intelligence warnings of possible threats.