NEW DELHI

The Indian government called Monday’s deadly car explosion in the capital, New Delhi, a "terrorist incident."

The Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condemned the "dastardly and cowardly" act and expressed its "profound grief" over the loss of 12 lives in the incident.

The Cabinet said in a Wednesday resolution that the South Asian nation has witnessed a "heinous terror incident, perpetrated by anti-national forces, through a car explosion."

The resolution also reiterated “India's unwavering commitment to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”

It directed that the "investigation into the incident be pursued with the utmost urgency and professionalism so that the perpetrators, their collaborators, and their sponsors are identified and brought to justice without delay.”

The Indian police are investigating the blast, which took place outside the Red Fort, a historic Mughal-era structure, under anti-terrorism law.