Indian authorities have confirmed that a deadly car blast in New Delhi earlier this week was carried out by a “suicide bomber,” and they announced the arrest of an accomplice involved in the attack.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), India’s primary counter-terrorism body, said both the attacker and the accomplice were from Indian-administered Kashmir, where police have been conducting extensive raids in recent days.
The NIA identified the arrested suspect as Amir Rashid Ali, describing him as an accomplice of the suicide bomber. According to officials, Ali facilitated the purchase of the car later used as a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) that triggered the explosion. The attack occurred near a busy metro station close to the historic Red Fort in Old Delhi, a central location where the Prime Minister delivers the annual Independence Day address.
The driver of the explosive-laden vehicle was identified as Umarun Nabi, a resident of Kashmir and an assistant professor in general medicine at a university in Haryana. Authorities said the blast killed 10 people and injured 32 others, though early reports suggested up to 12 fatalities. The NIA also seized another vehicle belonging to Nabi as part of its ongoing investigation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack as a “conspiracy” and pledged that all perpetrators, collaborators, and sponsors would be brought to justice. The NIA emphasized that the arrests mark a significant breakthrough in the investigation, aiming to dismantle networks responsible for planning and facilitating terrorist acts in the capital.
The incident has heightened security across New Delhi, with authorities vowing to prevent any further attacks. Officials are continuing to interrogate the suspects and trace connections to other possible accomplices. The swift action by the NIA underscores India’s commitment to combating terrorism and safeguarding civilians in high-risk urban centers.
This attack also drew international attention, highlighting ongoing tensions in Kashmir and the challenges faced by Indian authorities in curbing militant activities linked to the region.
