A deadly car bombing near Delhi’s historic Red Fort has intensified regional tensions, with preliminary evidence suggesting involvement of the Jaish-e-Mohammed. The blast, which claimed nine lives, has prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to issue a strong warning from Bhutan, sparking significant concern within Pakistan’s military leadership regarding a potential ‘Operation Sindoor 2.0’.
PM Modi’s resolute statement, “Our agencies will go to the root of this conspiracy. Those behind it will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice,” resonates with India’s previous decisive response. In 2023, a similar warning preceded ‘Operation Sindoor,’ a successful military operation against terror infrastructure in Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack. India maintains a clear stance: perpetrators and their enablers are equally accountable, and the previous operation was only ‘suspended’ upon Pakistan’s request, not concluded.
Responding to the Prime Minister’s strong message, Pakistan’s armed forces have reportedly escalated their security posture to the highest level. All airbases and naval facilities are said to be on high alert, with air defense systems activated. Reports suggest the Pakistan Air Force has been ordered to prepare fighter jets for immediate readiness. Army Chief General Asim Munir is reportedly instructing commanders to prepare for any “unforeseen Indian action,” indicating a heightened state of anxiety in Islamabad.
Government sources have characterized the Red Fort explosion as an “act of war” and affirmed that ‘Operation Sindoor’ remains an active retaliatory measure for attacks on Indian soil. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway and those responsible will face stringent consequences.
Forensic teams examining the wreckage near the Red Fort identified a car laden with a potent mix of explosives, including ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and sulphur. These materials are similar to those discovered during an anti-terror operation in Faridabad, Haryana. Investigators believe the car’s owner, Dr. Mohammad Umar, and his accomplices operated a “white-collar terror cell” using medical NGOs as a front for their operations. It is suspected that the blast occurred prematurely as Umar attempted to move leftover explosives, following the arrest of his associates in Faridabad where a substantial quantity of explosives was seized.