• At least 12 people killed and over 20 injured in a car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort.
• Authorities are investigating under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act as a potential terror attack.
• Prime Minister Modi promised justice for victims and condemned the incident as a "conspiracy."
• CCTV footage is being examined to track the blast's suspect and the vehicle's movements.
• Major cities, including Mumbai, are on high alert following the explosion.

A powerful car explosion occurred near the historic Red Fort in New Delhi on Monday, killing at least 12 people and injuring over 20 others. The explosion, which left many vehicles wrecked and caused a large fire, happened during peak hours at approximately 6:52 PM. Eyewitnesses described horrific scenes of panic and chaos as the blast tore through a crowded area, resulting in body parts strewn across the road, according to channelnewsasia, aa, and indiatimes.

In response to the blast, which is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism, police have registered a case under India’s anti-terrorism law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Investigators believe that the explosion may be linked to a larger conspiracy, possibly involving individuals arrested in a separate case earlier that day, as reported by Al Jazeera and indiatimes.

CCTV footage from the area is under examination to determine the movements of a suspect linked to the vehicle, which had reportedly been parked for two hours before the blast. Earlier media reports focused on a person identified as Dr. Umar, believed to be connected to a Faridabad terror module and possibly present in the vehicle during the explosion, according to indiatimes and bbc.

The Indian government has signaled high alert status across major cities to bolster security in response to the attack. Home Minister Amit Shah stated that security agencies are conducting thorough investigations and will not leave any stone unturned to ensure justice, as conveyed by channelnewsasia and SCMP.