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Indian officials have officially declared the recent deadly car explosion in New Delhi a terrorist attack.

Getting into it: The incident, which occurred on Monday evening near the historic Red Fort during peak rush hour, resulted in an explosion that killed at least eight people and injured more than 20 others. Witnesses described the blast as extremely powerful, with other vehicles catching fire and exploding after the initial blast.

Officials now say the explosion is being treated as a deliberate terrorist attack, pointing to preliminary lab findings and the decision to bring in investigators who specialize in terrorism-related cases. While they have not released definitive evidence, investigators are looking into whether a previously disrupted network might be tied to the blast, including any ties with Pakistan-based factions such as Jaish-e-Mohammad or Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. A key focus of the inquiry is determining the driver’s role (whether he acted knowingly, was coerced, or was transporting materials that could have detonated unexpectedly).

In the aftermath, India’s government has mobilized federal security agencies, including the National Investigation Agency, to determine the motive behind the attack and identify foreign or domestic handlers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior leaders have vowed severe retaliation, promising that “no conspirator will be spared,” while Home Minister Amit Shah has conducted high-level briefings with top police and intelligence officials.