Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that all those responsible for the car blast in Delhi will be brought to justice, speaking during his visit to Bhutan, a day after an evening explosion near the Red Fort killed at least eight people and injured 20, according to local authorities.
The blast occurred at a traffic signal by a metro station across from the 17th-century monument in the densely populated old city.
Delhi Police opened an investigation under a stringent anti-terror statute as forensic teams examined debris and damaged vehicles at the scene.
Federal Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday that “all angles” were being investigated, while security was stepped up nationwide, including at transport hubs and in Mumbai.
Witnesses and police described a slow-moving car that exploded at a traffic signal near the Red Fort Metro station, setting off a large fireball that damaged nearby vehicles.
The surrounding area, home to Mughal-era architecture and busy markets, draws thousands of visitors daily.
Previous bombings, other attacks in Delhi
Large-casualty explosions in Delhi have been uncommon in recent years, though the capital has seen past attacks, including a 2011 bombing outside the Delhi High Court that killed at least 10 and wounded dozens.
Monday’s explosion is the deadliest near a landmark in years, recalling earlier periods when bus stations and crowded markets were targeted.