The explosion occurred at 6.50pm on Monday, triggering panic in the busy area frequented by tourists and locals.

The government has termed the car explosion outside Red Fort as a “heinous terror incident” and has directed investigating agencies to deal with the case with “utmost urgency and professionalism”.

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Investigations into the explosion have found links to an extremist module earlier busted by the security agencies in Faridabad, allegedly linked to terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and a group of individuals with links to Al Falah University in Haryana.

Investigators said that Monday’s explosion near the Red Fort was triggered in panic and desperation after raids by the security agencies. Dr Umar Nabi, a Pulwama-based doctor who worked at Al-Falah Hospital in Faridabad, is believed to have driven the white Hyundai i20.

As reported by HT, the operation by the security agencies prevented a much larger terror conspiracy, with plans for coordinated strikes across India, according to officials.