New Delhi: At least 12 people were killed and 20 others injured after a powerful explosion tore through a car near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening, sending shockwaves through the national capital and prompting an immediate high alert across the city.
The explosion occurred around 6:52 pm inside a Hyundai i20 parked close to the Red Fort Metro Station. Eyewitnesses reported a deafening blast followed by thick plumes of smoke and chaos as nearby vehicles caught fire and people scrambled for safety. The area was soon cordoned off by Delhi Police and National Security Guard (NSG) teams.
Initial reports suggest the explosion may have resulted from mishandled explosives, possibly triggered accidentally. Investigators believe the suspects could have panicked during the transport or assembly of the materials, leading to the deadly detonation.
High-Level Security Meetings and Probe
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah reached Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence late Monday night to brief him on the situation. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is expected to meet this evening to review the national security response and the ongoing investigation.
PM Modi, who visited the injured at LNJP Hospital, expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased and vowed justice, stating, “Those behind the conspiracy will be brought to justice.”
Expanding Investigation
Multiple investigative agencies—including the Delhi Police Special Cell, National Investigation Agency (NIA), and Intelligence Bureau (IB)—are jointly probing the case. Authorities have detained nearly a dozen suspects for questioning, including three doctors from Faridabad’s Al-Falah University.
This development follows an earlier operation in Faridabad, where Jammu and Kashmir Police uncovered 3 kilograms of explosives hidden in two residential properties, intensifying suspicions of a coordinated network.
As forensic teams comb through the blast site, investigators are focusing on CCTV footage from the vicinity, including Red Fort Metro Station and adjacent market areas, to trace the movement of the vehicle and potential handlers.
The national capital remains on high alert with enhanced checks across public transport hubs, government buildings, and historical sites.
