News Wrap: US Secretary of State Calls Delhi Blast “Clearly A Terrorist Attack”, Turkiye Link Under Scanner

1. US Calls Red Fort Car Blast a ‘Clear Terrorist Attack’, Praises India’s Measured and Cautious Response

The United States has called the car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, which killed at least 8 people, a “clear terrorist attack.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised India’s professionalism in handling the probe and said New Delhi had been “measured and cautious” in its response. Rubio added that while the US offered help, India is “very capable” of conducting its own investigation.

India officially declared the explosion a terror incident, saying it was carried out by anti-national forces. The blast came hours after police arrested a group linked to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed and seized a large cache of explosives. Home Minister Amit Shah has directed agencies to identify and punish everyone involved.

2. Red Fort Blast Probe Uncovers Turkiye Link, Handler ‘Ukasa’ Directed Delhi Module Led by Al-Falah Professor 

Investigators probing the Red Fort blast have traced the conspiracy to a Turkiye-based handler, identified by the codename Ukasa, who allegedly directed the Delhi module led by Al-Falah University professor Umar Un Nabi. Officials said Ukasa served as the link between Umar’s group and Pakistan-backed terror outfits Jaish-e-Muhammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. Umar, who visited Turkiye in 2022, planned a series of attacks using vehicle-borne explosives. His i20 car exploded near Red Fort on November 10, killing him, while two other cars linked to the plot were recovered or remain missing. Investigators said Ayodhya was also among the targets, and foreign agencies are now assisting India in tracking Ukasa’s digital trail.

3. Red Fort Blast Probe: 300 kg Ammonium Nitrate Still Missing, Nationwide Hunt Launched to Avert Major Threat 

Investigation agencies probing the Red Fort blast are searching for 300 kilograms of missing ammonium nitrate, considered a serious threat to national security. So far, 2,900 kilograms have been recovered out of 3,200 smuggled into India through Bangladesh and Nepal. The explosives, stolen from a fertilizer company, were linked to a terror module planning attacks in Ayodhya and Varanasi. A woman named Dr. Shaheen, connected to the group, had reportedly activated a sleeper cell in Ayodhya, prompting nationwide raids to locate the missing material.

4. Israel Honours Maharaja Jamsaheb Digvijaysinh Jadeja With a Statue for Rescuing Polish Children During World War II

A statue of Jamsaheb Digvijaysinh Jadeja, the former Maharaja of Nawanagar, was recently unveiled in Nevatim, southern Israel, to honour his compassion in sheltering Polish, including Jewish, children during World War II. The event was organised by the Indian Jewish Heritage Centre and the Cochin Jewish Heritage Centre, with Indian Ambassador J.P. Singh and officials from Israel and Poland in attendance.

Jamsaheb, known as the “Good Maharaja,” had provided refuge to hundreds of Polish children in Nawanagar in 1942, offering them food, shelter, and education. His humanitarian act continues to be remembered in Poland and Israel, both of which have erected memorials to honour his kindness and courage.

5. Cabinet Approves Rs 20,000 Crore Credit Guarantee Scheme to Boost Indian Exporters

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters (CGSE) to provide up to Rs 20,000 crore in collateral-free credit support to eligible exporters, including MSMEs. The scheme, implemented through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) under the Department of Financial Services, aims to boost liquidity, enhance export competitiveness, and support India’s goal of achieving USD 1 trillion in exports.

6. NIA Raids 10 Locations in 5 States in Al-Qaida-Linked Gujarat Terror Conspiracy Case 

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at ten locations across five states on November 12 in connection with an Al-Qaida-linked Gujarat terror conspiracy involving illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. The raids in West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya, Haryana, and Gujarat led to the seizure of digital devices and documents. The case, registered in June 2023, revealed that four Bangladeshi nationals had entered India illegally using forged documents and were linked to Al-Qaida for funding and recruitment activities.

7. Prez Trump Signs Funding Bill to End Longest US Government Shutdown, Blames Democrats for Crisis 

US President Donald Trump signed a funding bill passed by the House of Representatives, ending the longest government shutdown in American history. Blaming Democrats for the crisis, Trump said the shutdown caused over 20,000 flight cancellations and affected more than a million government workers. The bill ensures all federal employees receive back pay and protects them from layoffs until January, with government operations expected to resume within a week.

8. Trump Feels “Very Positive and Strongly” About Future of India-US Citizenship, Says White House 

At a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that US President Donald Trump feels “very positive and strongly” about the future of India-US citizenship, highlighting the growing partnership between the two nations. She added that Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi share a strong relationship and speak frequently on key global and bilateral issues. Leavitt also said that Trump’s trade team is in “very serious discussions” with India to strengthen economic cooperation and that the President has great respect for PM Modi and his leadership.

9. Red Fort Blast Probe: UP ATS Detains Dr. Mohammad Arif for Alleged Links With Key Accused Dr. Shaheen

In a major development in the Red Fort car blast probe, the Uttar Pradesh ATS, Delhi Police Special Cell, and J&K Police detained Dr. Mohammad Arif from Kanpur’s Cardiology Institute for his links with the arrested suspect Dr. Shaheen Shahid. Arif, a NEET-SS student from Anantnag and a former Al-Falah University student, came under scrutiny after Shaheen’s phone records were examined. Dr. Shaheen is believed to be a key link in the Red Fort blast and the Faridabad terror module connected to Jaish-e-Mohammad and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind.

10. Australia Accuses China of Cyberattacks on Telecom Networks, Beijing Denies Espionage Claims

Australia has accused China of hacking its telecom networks and key infrastructure to steal sensitive data, causing economic losses of around $8.1 billion last year. Australian spy chief Mike Burgess said Chinese hacker groups “Salt Typhoon” and “Volt Typhoon,” linked to Beijing’s government and military, have targeted Australian systems and could disrupt vital services like power, water, and banking. China has denied the allegations, calling them false and aimed at provoking confrontation.

11. Assam Police Arrest 15 for Offensive Social Media Posts After Delhi Red Fort Terror Blast

Assam Police have arrested 15 people across the state for posting offensive content on social media after the Delhi terror blasts. In addition to six arrests made earlier, those detained include Rafijul Ali from Bongaigaon, Forid Uddin Laskar from Hailakandi, Inamul Islam and Firuj Ahmed alias Papon from Lakhimpur, Shahil Shoman Sikdar alias Shahidul Islam and Rakibul Sultan from Barpeta, Nasim Akram from Hojai, Taslim Ahmed from Kamrup, and Abdur Rohim Mollah alias Bappy Hussain from South Salmara. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma warned that strict action will be taken against anyone glorifying violence or supporting terrorism.