A cowardly attack

The tragic bombing near Delhi’s iconic Red Fort on November 10 that resulted in the deaths of at least ten and injury to more than fifty- remind India’s vulnerability to terror-linked violence in the heart of its capital. This is the sixth major terrorist strike in Delhi, reinforcing long-standing calls for deeper intelligence cooperation, modernization of surveillance, and urgent reforms in security protocols at public spaces and transit hubs. The detonation was triggered in an i20 Hyndai car at a traffic signal near the entrance to the bustling Red Fort metro station and the historic Lal Qila. The blast ripped through a busy intersection also serving the famed Chandni Chowk marketplace sent shockwaves across the nation. What makes this incident especially sobering is its timing and context. Just hours before, authorities announced the arrest of a Kashmiri doctor in Faridabad, Haryana, on allegations of planning a terrorist attack. Haryana police subsequently uncovered a staggering cache of 2,900kg of explosives, 20 timers, remote controls, a rifle, and ample live ammunition in the doctor’s residence – pointing to a plot of extraordinary scale and complexity. Seven alleged accomplices, purportedly part of the same conspiracy, have also been detained. The gravity of the haul and the sophistication of the operation underscore the persistent and evolving threat posed by terror networks embedded deep within India’s urban fabric. Delhi police swiftly registered a case under India’s foremost anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), as well as the Explosives Act. Though the full details-including the nature and origin of the explosive device-remain under investigation, the deployment of anti-terror provisions is a prudent response, balancing due process with the imperative of national security. The blast occurred as the second and final phase of state elections unfolded in Bihar-one of India’s politically decisive states. It was also a time when voters were heading to the polls against the uneasy backdrop of heightened security alerts and public anxiety. The juxtaposition of electoral democracy with the trauma of terror is a harsh reminder of the persistent threats facing the world’s largest democracy. Such attacks not only cost innocent lives but risk sowing fear and communal discord, undermining the foundations of India’s secular and pluralistic society. The need for vigilance, both by authorities and ordinary citizens, cannot be overstated. Yet, in a nation as vast and diverse as India, vigilance alone is not enough. It would not be out of place to expect the government to establish a special commission of inquiry, headed by a Supreme Court judge, with the mandate to thoroughly investigate terror attacks-not only to illuminate the “how” and “why” behind such heinous plots, but also to identify the networks of actors, financiers, and facilitators who persist in their violent machinations. Only with such transparency and accountability can trust in public institutions be restored and future tragedies averted. As India mourns the lives lost and families shattered, the November 10 blast must become a catalyst for unified national resolve-one that prioritizes public safety without sacrificing civil liberties, and ensures that the lessons of Delhi’s pain serve as a blueprint for a more secure, just, and resilient future.