Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that those responsible for the blast near Delhi’s Red Fort will face the toughest punishment. His statement came soon after investigators named Dr Umar Un Nabi, a doctor from Pulwama, as the main suspect in the case.

The minister was speaking at the Delhi Defence Dialogue hosted by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA). He said the government is handling the matter with full seriousness.

Singh said, “I want to firmly assure the nation that those responsible for this tragedy will be brought to justice and will not be spared under any circumstances.”

Investigators believe Nabi may have been the person driving the white Hyundai i20 that exploded near the Red Fort on Monday evening.

The minister also said that top national security agencies are already investigating the blast.

He added, “From this platform, I wish to assure my fellow citizens that the country’s leading investigative agencies are conducting a swift and thorough inquiry into the incident. The findings of the investigation will soon be made public.”

Rajnath Singh expressed grief over the loss of lives in the tragedy and offered sympathies to the families affected. He also urged people to remain calm while the investigation continues.