Major Security Breach at Delhi's Red Fort
Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed on Monday that a comprehensive investigation is underway into the devastating explosion near Delhi's historic Red Fort. The blast occurred inside a Hyundai i20 vehicle and resulted in significant casualties and damage.
According to hospital reports cited by Shah, eight people lost their lives in the incident, with several others sustaining injuries. The Home Minister emphasized that top investigative agencies are exploring all possible angles to determine the cause and perpetrators behind the attack.
Timing and Location of the Attack
The explosion took place around 7 pm at a traffic signal near the Red Fort, one of Delhi's most iconic landmarks and a major tourist attraction. The impact damaged three to four nearby vehicles and injured pedestrians as well as people traveling in auto-rickshaws.
Security forces immediately cordoned off the area and began evidence collection operations. The location's significance as a national monument has raised serious concerns about security preparedness at vital installations across the capital.
International Developments: Gaza Ceasefire Talks
In international news, US mediator Jared Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire. Washington is intensifying efforts to ensure the fragile truce holds amid ongoing tensions in the region.
Netanyahu stated that Israel would enforce the ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon "with an iron fist," indicating the government's determination to maintain security while diplomatic efforts continue.
Security Crackdown in Jammu and Kashmir
Meanwhile, police in Ramban district have intensified operations against sympathizers and overground workers (OGWs) linked to Jammu and Kashmir nationals based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The crackdown aims to enhance regional security and prevent potential threats.
Authorities have increased scrutiny of SIM card vendors and strengthened security measures along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. A police spokesperson confirmed that the operations are being conducted under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police Arun Gupta.
Other Significant Developments
In Dhaka, approximately 100 Bangladeshi workers employed by Malaysian companies held a rally demanding unpaid wages, fair compensation, and an end to alleged mistreatment by their employers. The protest was organized by the Migrant Welfare Network outside the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.
In California, twenty people were hospitalized, including three with serious injuries, after a bus carrying teenagers from a church camp overturned on a winding mountain road. The accident occurred on State Route 330 near Running Springs, about 70 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
Emergency responders found the bus lying on its side, with passengers escaping through a roof hatch. Of the 36 passengers on board, 26 received treatment at the scene, while 20 were transported to nearby hospitals by ground ambulances.
Ongoing Investigation and Security Measures
The Red Fort blast investigation continues to be a top priority for Indian security agencies. The use of a civilian vehicle in the attack has prompted authorities to review security protocols at sensitive locations across the country.
As developments unfold, authorities remain vigilant about potential security threats while working to bring those responsible for the Red Fort attack to justice. The incident has sparked renewed discussions about urban security and counter-terrorism measures in the national capital.
