Delhi Car Explosion Triggers UAPA Probe; NIA Joins Investigation Into Suspected Terror Plot

Security agencies have launched a high-priority investigation into a car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort, with authorities suspecting a possible terror link behind the incident. The probe has been taken up under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), India’s principal anti-terror law.

Sources said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has joined Delhi Police’s Special Cell and forensic units to examine the cause and intent behind the blast. The vehicle, which was parked close to one of the city’s most sensitive heritage zones, caught fire on Sunday evening, sending security forces into a state of alert.

Officials are currently analysing CCTV footage, digital records, and forensic samples from the site to determine whether the explosion was accidental or a deliberate act. Early indications point toward a coordinated operation, potentially linked to a larger network operating within the National Capital Region.

A senior investigator stated that the intensity of the explosion and the suspicious circumstances surrounding the parked car led to the invocation of UAPA. “This is being treated as a high-risk event. We are exploring every possibility, including a terror module attempting to target central Delhi,” the official said.

Security has been stepped up around Red Fort, India Gate, Parliament Street, and adjoining areas, with police checkpoints and bomb squads deployed across the city.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sought regular updates, and the NIA is expected to submit an initial report within the next 48 hours. Authorities have urged residents to stay alert and avoid speculation as the investigation continues.

This marks one of the most significant security incidents in the national capital this year, raising renewed concerns over urban terror networks and their potential attempts to disrupt public safety.