The shocking Red Fort car blast shook the heart of Delhi on Monday evening, killing nine and injuring twenty, as investigators probe possible terror links behind the explosion that jolted the nation’s capital.
The blast occurred around 6:52 pm near Gate 1 of the Lal Quila Metro Station, when a Hyundai i20 with a Haryana number plate exploded at a traffic signal. The impact set nearby vehicles on fire, shattering windows and throwing pedestrians off their feet.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as commuters and tourists ran for cover amid smoke and flames. “The noise was deafening. We saw cars burning and people screaming for help,” said one shopkeeper from the area.
Police have registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and sections of the Explosives Act, indicating that a terror link is not being ruled out. Teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the National Security Guard (NSG) are on site collecting forensic evidence and reviewing CCTV footage showing a masked driver moments before the explosion.
Following the incident, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Maharashtra have been placed on high alert, with additional checks at airports, metro stations, and crowded markets. Security has also been strengthened in Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed condolences to the victims’ families and directed agencies to “investigate all angles swiftly.” Hospitals across central Delhi are treating the injured, several of whom remain in critical condition.
Traffic around Red Fort and Chandni Chowk remains restricted as forensic teams continue their work through the night.
The cause of the blast is yet to be confirmed, but investigators suspect the presence of improvised explosive material inside the vehicle.
