A powerful explosion happened near the Red Fort in New Delhi on Monday evening, killing around ten people and injuring over two dozen others. The incident occurred inside a car near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station around 7 p.m. The explosion triggered a massive flame that engulfed multiple vehicles.
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Details of the Blast
According to Delhi Police officials, the explosion happened in a slow-moving car that had just stopped at a red light. The car is identified as a Hyundai i20 and is reported to carry two to three occupants. There was no crater at the scene, leading authorities to exercise caution in confirming whether the explosion was caused by a bomb or some other mechanism.
The impact of the explosion was so intense that around six cars, two e-rickshaws, and an autorickshaw nearby caught fire. Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos, with the sound resembling an earthquake and the shockwaves felt hundreds of meters away. First responders rushed ten fire tenders to the spot and managed to bring the blaze under control by 7:29 p.m.
Investigation and Response
The area was quickly cordoned off by security agencies, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) joined Delhi Police and forensic officials at the scene. While the exact cause remains unconfirmed, preliminary findings suggest the possibility of an improvised explosive device (IED) being used, but no pellets or splinter injuries typical of bomb blasts were reported. One suspect has reportedly been taken into custody, but there is yet no official commentary on a motive or definitive link to wider security operations.
The blast comes just hours after the arrest of a Kashmiri doctor in Faridabad, from whose rented house police seized approximately 360 kg of suspected ammonium nitrate alongside weapons and timers. Authorities have not confirmed any connection between this arrest and the Red Fort explosion, but Delhi and other major cities like Mumbai have been placed on high alert.
Scene and Eyewitness Reports
The Red Fort area, a major tourist destination in Delhi, was teeming with locals and visitors at the time. One bystander said, “The blast was so loud that it felt like an earthquake. Our building, nearly 800 metres away, shook”. Eyewitness accounts described thick crowds fleeing in panic as flames leapt across parked vehicles, while fire crews and police worked rapidly to control the situation and treat the injured.
Security Implications
Given the sensitive location and the scale of casualties, the Union Home Minister and top intelligence officials are closely monitoring the investigation. The high alert across major Indian cities reflects concerns about potential links to organized terror networks, though official confirmation of the nature and motive behind the blast is awaited.
The Red Fort explosion has sent shockwaves through the national capital, triggering heightened security and a full-scale probe as authorities work to unravel the circumstances behind this devastating incident.
