In the wake of a devastating car bomb explosion near the historic Red Fort that claimed 13 lives and injured nearly two dozen others on November 10, 2025, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has voiced strong support for the government's classification of the incident as a terrorist attack, emphasizing that such acts must face unequivocal retribution. The blast, which occurred around 6:45 p.m. IST on Netaji Subhash Marg—a bustling artery lined with colonial-era landmarks—ripped through a traffic signal, shattering windows and igniting chaos amid evening rush hour. Eyewitness accounts described a deafening roar followed by billowing smoke, with emergency responders racing against time to extricate survivors from twisted metal. This marks the most significant terror-related incident in the national capital since the 2016 Pathankot airbase assault, underscoring persistent vulnerabilities in urban security amid escalating regional threats from cross-border militancy.
The investigation swiftly identified Umar Mohammad, alias Umar Un Nabi—a 32-year-old doctor at Al-Falah University in Faridabad—as the suicide bomber at the wheel of the white Hyundai i20, with DNA evidence from the blast site matching samples from his mother, confirmed on November 13. Authorities linked the attack to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a UN-designated terror outfit notorious for orchestrating the 2001 Parliament siege and the 2019 Pulwama bombing that killed 40 CRPF personnel. In a nod to past retaliatory measures, Tharoor referenced Operation Sindoor—the 2019 Balakot airstrikes—as a precedent for holding such groups accountable, stating, "Terrorist groups have absolutely no impunity." Security agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), have since uncovered a broader plot involving at least five accomplices, two of whom perished in the explosion, while raids in Jammu and Kashmir yielded explosives and digital footprints tracing back to JeM handlers in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Addressing reporters in New Delhi on November 14, Tharoor tempered his advocacy for stringent measures with a measured tone, avoiding speculation on punitive details while affirming, "A terrorist attack cannot go unpunished... I respect the government's finding that it was a terrorist attack." He expressed confidence in the administration's resolve to pursue justice, crediting intelligence intercepts for thwarting a potentially larger scheme and urging national unity: "What is extremely important is for us to preserve and protect the security and safety of our citizens." This bipartisan stance from the seasoned Thiruvananthapuram MP, known for his hawkish views on foreign policy despite his party's occasional critiques of the ruling BJP, highlights a rare moment of cross-aisle solidarity in the polarized political landscape. Tharoor also cautioned against premature calls for international escalation, noting, "It is premature right now to talk about that. We stand on the global stage against terrorism."
Also Read: Delhi Blast Probe Widens; Cops Hunt Red Car Tied to Prime Suspect Umar Nabi
In a swift display of deterrence, security forces demolished Mohammad's family home in Pulwama district, south Kashmir, on November 13—a move echoing "bulldozer justice" tactics employed against terror sympathizers following the foiled Pahalgam plot earlier in 2025. This action, part of a broader crackdown that has razed over 150 structures since 2020, aims to dismantle support networks in the volatile region, where JeM has deep roots. As Delhi heightens surveillance with drone patrols and additional checkpoints around landmarks, Tharoor's call for public vigilance resonates amid heightened alerts. The incident not only revives debates on counter-terrorism efficacy but also tests India's diplomatic push for global isolation of terror sponsors, with implications for upcoming SAARC summits and bilateral ties. With mourning families demanding closure and experts warning of copycat risks, the path to justice remains fraught, yet Tharoor's words underscore a collective resolve to safeguard the nation's resilience.
Also Read: Delhi 10/11 Blast Update: Dr. Umar Nabi’s Hyundai i20 Parked 11 Days Before Blast