NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a suspect accused of helping plan last week’s deadly car bombing near Delhi’s Red Fort. The attack killed at least 10 people and injured more than 30, shaking one of the nation’s busiest historic districts. The NIA said on Sunday that officers arrested a man from India-administered Kashmir. Officials said the car used in the blast was registered in his name. Investigators believe he played a major role in planning the attack.
Authorities also identified the alleged suicide bomber. They said he was a resident of Pulwama in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. He died when the explosive-filled vehicle stopped at a traffic light and detonated during evening rush hour. Investigators seized another car linked to the alleged bomber. Officials said he worked as an assistant professor at Al Falah University in Faridabad, which lies in Haryana, part of the Delhi National Capital Region. On Wednesday, after reports connected the attackers to the university, school officials said they had no ties to the men beyond their official roles on campus. The statement, shared via local media, stressed that the institution had no involvement in the plot.
The NIA said it has questioned more than 70 witnesses so far. Officers continue to look for others who may have helped carry out the bombing. The investigation remains active as security agencies search for more suspects, review digital evidence, and trace the origin of the explosives.
The explosion took place near the Red Fort, also known as Lal Qila. The 17th-century monument is one of India’s most iconic landmarks and a major tourist destination. The surrounding area is known for bustling markets, dense traffic, and thousands of daily visitors.
The blast threw the neighborhood into immediate chaos. Witnesses said flames rose high into the night sky. Nearby vehicles burned, and debris was scattered across the street. Many victims lay injured on the road as people rushed to help before emergency crews arrived. Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said the bomb went off at about 6:42 p.m. local time. He told reporters that a “slow-moving” car came to a stop at a traffic signal moments before it exploded. The blast damaged at least six vehicles and three autorickshaws, officials said.
Delhi’s deputy fire chief reported that the fire spread quickly. The city’s fire services received an emergency call at 6:55 p.m. Firefighters reached the scene and brought the flames under control. Ambulances transported survivors to a nearby hospital for treatment. Bombings are uncommon in Delhi, a city of more than 30 million people. The attack has raised new concerns about security in crowded public areas. It also prompted increased patrols around major landmarks and transport hubs.
The Red Fort bombing has drawn nationwide attention. Leaders across India have condemned the attack and called for swift justice. Security agencies are working to determine whether the suspects had broader links to extremist groups. The NIA has not released details about the type of explosive used or how the attackers acquired the materials. Officials said more information will come as the investigation progresses.
For now, authorities are urging residents to remain alert but calm. The city continues to recover from the shock of the attack, while investigators search for answers in one of Delhi’s deadliest explosions in recent years. The NIA said it will release updates as new evidence emerges. The agency remains focused on finding every person involved in planning and carrying out the Red Fort bombing.
