Munish Sood
New Delhi
A powerful explosion near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening sent shockwaves across Delhi, leaving several people dead and many injured. The high-intensity blast, which ripped through a parked car around 6:55 pm, triggered panic in the busy area as flames and thick smoke engulfed the surroundings.
According to officials, at least eight casualties have been brought to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, while several others are undergoing treatment for severe burns and trauma injuries. The impact of the explosion was so strong that it shattered windows of nearby vehicles and streetlights, with the sound heard across several adjoining localities.
Seven fire tenders and 15 ambulances were immediately rushed to the spot, and the area was quickly cordoned off by Delhi Police and Fire Service teams. Senior officers from the Special Cell and the Forensic Science Laboratory are examining the remains of the car to determine the cause and nature of the explosion.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to the Delhi Police Commissioner following the incident, ANI reported. The Home Minister is also in regular contact with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director, and has directed all agencies to submit an immediate report. Teams from the National Security Guard (NSG), National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Central Forensic Department have reached the site. Senior officials, including the DIG of CRPF and the Special Cell DCP, are supervising the investigation and assessing the damage.
Former Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal expressed deep concern over the explosion, terming it “extremely tragic and alarming.” In a post on X, Kejriwal said, “The police and government should immediately investigate how this explosion occurred and whether there is any larger conspiracy behind it. Negligence regarding Delhi’s security cannot be tolerated.”
Police sources said the explosion was of high intensity, but it has not yet been confirmed whether it was a bomb blast. They added that there is no immediate link between the explosion and the terror module busted earlier in the day in Faridabad, where over 2,900 kilograms of ammonium nitrate—used in making explosives—was seized.
Eyewitnesses described horrifying scenes at the site. “I never heard such a loud explosion in my life. I fell three times due to the blast. It felt as if we were all going to die,” said a local shopkeeper. Another eyewitness, visibly shaken, said, “When we came near, we saw body parts spread on the road. No one could figure out what had happened. Several cars were completely damaged.”
Forensic experts and bomb disposal squads are scanning the debris to identify the explosive used. Security has been tightened across Delhi, with police intensifying patrolling around metro stations, government buildings, and crowded markets.
The capital remains on high alert as multiple central agencies collaborate to uncover whether the Red Fort blast was an isolated incident—or part of a deeper and more coordinated threat.
