India's Modi vows action against those behind Delhi car blast

Indian police are investigating a deadly car blast in the capital under "anti-terrorism law," an officer said on Tuesday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to bring to justice all those responsible.

The explosion near the historic Red Fort on Monday evening killed at least 13 people and injured more than 20, Indian daily Hindustan Times quoted officials as saying. It was the first such blast in the heavily guarded city of more than 30 million since 2011.

"Today, I have come to Bhutan with a very heavy heart," Modi said in Thimphu, the capital of the neighboring Himalayan nation, as he arrived on Tuesday for a scheduled visit.

"The horrific incident that happened in Delhi last evening has deeply disturbed everyone," Modi told a public meeting.

"Our agencies will get to the very bottom of this conspiracy. The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice."

Crime scene investigators scoured through the wreckage of a car early on Tuesday, hours after the intense explosion.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Raja Banthia said the blast near the landmark Red Fort in the crowded Old Delhi quarter was being investigated under anti-terrorism and explosives laws, as well as other criminal statutes.

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act – India's main anti-terrorism law – is used to investigate and prosecute acts related to "terrorism" and activities that threaten the sovereignty and integrity of the country.

"Investigation is at a preliminary stage and any comment on it will be too premature," Banthia told reporters.

In the vicinity of the explosion – a busy market and popular tourist area – most shops that closed soon after the blast remained shut in the early hours of Tuesday.

Security had been tightened across New Delhi as both forensic and anti-terrorism agencies searched for evidence. Delhi Metro announced that the Red Fort station had been shut for security reasons.

Police said a slow-moving car, which stopped at a traffic signal, exploded just before 7 p.m. (1330 GMT), badly damaging nearby vehicles.

The explosion left behind mangled bodies and the wreckage of several cars on a congested street near a metro station in the old quarter of Delhi.

There was no immediate information on the occupants of the car, who were presumed to have been killed. Police said they were tracing the owner of the car.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said agencies were carrying out a swift, thorough investigation with the findings to be made public soon.

The Red Fort, one of India's most iconic landmarks, is where prime ministers address the nation on Independence Day. Its image also appears on India's largest banknote.

(With input from agencies)