Delhi blast | NIA takes over probe; PM Modi vows not to spare conspirators behind 'horrific incident' that killed 12

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday vowed not to spare the conspirators behind the “horrific incident” in the national capital where an explosion in a car led to the killing of around a dozen people even as the government handed over the investigation into the incident near Red Fort to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

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Currently on a state visit to Angola and Botswana, President Droupadi Murmu spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the phone from Angola. She conveyed “heartfelt condolences” to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives in the incident.

At security review meetings, Shah posted on ‘X’, he instructed senior officials to “hunt down each and every culprit behind this incident” and that “everyone involved in this act will face the full wrath of our agencies”.

Around a dozen people were killed in the car blast near Red Fort, which came hours after the recovery of 2,900 kg of explosives in Haryana's Faridabad. Investigators believe that the two incidents are linked.

Modi’s strong message came at an event in Bhutan's Thimphu, where he is on an official visit, a day after the blast in the car.

“Today, I come here with a very heavy heart. The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday evening has deeply saddened everyone. I understand the grief of the affected families. The entire nation stands with them today,” he said.

“I was in touch with all the agencies investigating this incident throughout last (Monday) night. Our agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracy. The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice,” he said.

During the day, Shah held back-to-back security review meetings with the top security officials following which the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued orders to hand over the probe into the incident to the NIA, the country's elite anti-terror investigation unit.

The meetings called by Shah were attended by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha and NIA Director General Sadanand Vasant Date among others. Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat also attended the meeting virtually.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the country’s leading investigative agencies are conducting a swift and thorough inquiry into the incident and the findings of the investigation will soon be made public.

Addressing the 'Delhi Defence Dialogue', he assured the nation that those responsible for this tragedy will be brought to justice and will not be spared under any circumstances.