A powerful explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort on Sunday evening killed atleast 10 people and injured at least 20 others, prompting a nationwide security alert and a full-scale investigation by central agencies. The blast occurred inside a white Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort Metro Station at around 6:52 PM, sending shockwaves through one of the city’s busiest tourist zones.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that all agencies are investigating the incident from every possible angle. “We are probing all angles,” he said, before visiting the blast site alongside senior security officials.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said the explosion took place when a slow-moving vehicle stopped at a traffic signal. “There were occupants in the car. The blast damaged nearby vehicles,” he told reporters. The car carried a Haryana registration number, which investigators are now tracing.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG) have joined the probe, collecting forensic samples and reviewing CCTV footage from the area. The explosion comes amid heightened security concerns, as authorities in several states including Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh issued alerts. Bihar, which votes in the second phase of its elections tomorrow, has also intensified policing across districts.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) placed all Delhi-NCR installations, including the Metro network, Red Fort, government buildings, and Indira Gandhi International Airport, under high alert. Kerala and Uttarakhand have similarly strengthened security at sensitive locations.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror moments after the blast. “The car in front of me was about two feet away. I don’t know what caused it, but it exploded suddenly,” said Zeeshan, an auto driver who sustained injuries. Another witness said he saw “a huge fireball” from a nearby building as windows rattled from the impact.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer AK Malik said seven fire units were dispatched immediately and managed to control the blaze by 7:29 PM. Ambulances rushed the injured to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, where anxious families gathered for updates.
The blast occurred on the same day police in Faridabad, just 50 kilometers from Delhi, discovered nearly 2,900 kilograms of explosives, raising concerns of a larger coordinated plot.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed by Home Minister Amit Shah, who said teams from Delhi Police’s Crime Branch and Special Branch arrived at the site within minutes. “NSG and NIA teams, along with forensic experts, are conducting a comprehensive investigation. Orders have been issued to analyze CCTV footage from all surrounding areas,” Shah said.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta assured that every possible support is being extended to victims and their families. She urged residents to avoid spreading rumors and rely only on official information.
The Red Fort, a 17th-century Mughal monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as one of India’s most symbolic landmarks, hosting the Prime Minister’s annual Independence Day address. Located near the crowded Chandni Chowk market, which draws nearly half a million visitors daily, the area remains under heavy police guard as forensic teams continue to examine the debris.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the explosion, but officials say no possibility is being ruled out.
