India’s government on Wednesday confirmed that the car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort, which killed several people and injured dozens more, is being treated as a terror incident, and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.

The blast occurred on Monday evening in the busy Old Delhi area, claiming at least eight lives and injuring more than 20, according to hospital officials.

It was the first major explosion in the capital since 2011.

After a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government described the attack as a “heinous terror incident” and directed investigators to pursue the probe urgently and professionally.

Authorities said all perpetrators and collaborators must be identified and held accountable swiftly.

Investigations are being conducted under India’s anti-terror law.

Officials have not yet named any suspects in connection with the Delhi blast, but sources indicated a potential link to a group arrested earlier this week in Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, police in Jammu and Kashmir detained seven men, including two doctors, during coordinated raids across the region and in neighbouring states.

Authorities seized assault rifles, pistols, and explosives during the operations.

Investigators are examining whether the driver of the car involved in Delhi had any connection with the arrested men.

Following the blast, security forces conducted further searches at multiple locations in Kashmir, detaining about 500 people for questioning. Most were later released.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the case, and authorities continue to probe the incident to trace the broader network behind the attack.