New Delhi ⁣police are investigating a potential connection between the driver of a car that exploded in the Indian capital ⁣on January 3, 2024, and seven ⁤individuals ⁢arrested ‍in ⁤connection with the incident. The blast injured several people and prompted a large-scale ‍security response. Investigations⁤ are⁤ focusing on⁤ whether the driver had ties to medical professionals, specifically a⁢ doctor‍ and‍ a colleague of one of those⁢ arrested, according to three ⁣anonymous sources familiar with the investigation.

Spokespersons for the Delhi Police and the National Investigation agency (NIA), the federal anti-terror agency leading the probe, have not yet responded to requests for comment. The NIA⁢ took over the investigation on January 4, 2024, signaling the seriousness of the case according⁤ to NDTV.

Following the Delhi blast, Kashmir police conducted⁢ raids at hundreds⁢ of locations across the Himalayan region, detaining approximately 500 individuals, a Kashmir police source told Reuters. Most of those detained were released after questioning. Reuters reported that the raids aimed to uncover any potential links to the Delhi explosion.

background: Kashmir and India-Pakistan relations

The incident occurs against a backdrop ⁢of long-standing tensions between⁣ India and Pakistan, ‍particularly concerning the disputed ⁤region of kashmir. In ⁢2019, ‍a terrorist attack targeting Hindu tourists ⁢in Kashmir,which New Delhi ⁣attributed to Islamist “terrorists” supported by Pakistan,led to a ‍notable escalation in hostilities. Islamabad denied these allegations.

This crisis culminated in the most intense ⁣military⁤ conflict ⁢between the two nuclear-armed ⁤nations in decades before a ceasefire agreement was reached after⁤ four days of fighting.

Kashmir has been a point of contention⁤ between India and Pakistan as the partition of British India in ⁣1947. Both countries claim the region in full,⁤ but⁢ control only parts of‍ it. Numerous militant groups operate in the region, seeking either⁤ independence or integration with Pakistan.

Investigation Details and Potential Motives

While the investigation is still in it’s early stages,authorities⁢ are exploring several potential motives for the Delhi bombing.⁢ The proximity of the blast to the Israeli Embassy has⁣ raised