Delhi Red Fort Blast: 10 Dead in a High-Intensity Explosion
Delhi Red Fort Blast: India on Edge as Security Tightened Across Major States
Delhi Red Fort Blast: A powerful explosion ripped through a car near Delhi’s iconic Red Fort on Monday evening, killing at least ten people and injuring 24 others. The Delhi Red Fort Blast has triggered a massive security response across India, with major cities, including Mumbai and Lucknow, placed on high alert as investigators probe possible terror links behind the incident.
According to Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, the explosion occurred around 6:52 PM near a traffic signal close to the Red Fort, one of the capital’s busiest and most popular tourist areas. The car, reportedly moving slowly through the crowded intersection, burst into flames moments after the blast.
“The sound was deafening. We saw a huge fireball and people running in panic,” a resident near Chandni Chowk Metro told NDTV. “The shockwaves could be felt even inside nearby buildings.”
Delhi Red Fort Blast: Massive Destruction and Emergency Response
The explosion severely damaged 22 nearby vehicles and shattered windows in adjoining buildings. Fire officials confirmed that the flames were brought under control by 7:29 PM after seven fire tenders and around 20 emergency vehicles rushed to the scene.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer A.K. Malik said firefighters acted swiftly to prevent the flames from spreading to the nearby shops and residential blocks. “It was a high-intensity explosion,” he said, adding that forensic teams were already collecting samples from the wreckage.
All the injured were taken to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, where doctors confirmed ten fatalities. Eyewitness videos circulating on social media show burning cars and debris scattered across the busy roadway, as terrified onlookers tried to assist the wounded before rescue teams arrived.
Nationwide Security on High Alert
In the wake of the Delhi Red Fort Blast, the Ministry of Home Affairs directed all states to strengthen border checks and tighten security around vital installations.
Mumbai, India’s financial capital, was placed under a high security alert, with police increasing vigilance at railway stations, airports, and crowded public hubs. “We are coordinating with central agencies to ensure no spillover threats,” said a senior Mumbai Police officer.
Uttar Pradesh authorities also issued an emergency alert, ordering district police chiefs to increase patrols and checks in sensitive areas. An official statement from Lucknow said security teams were deployed along major highways and near religious sites.
Dehradun and Rajasthan followed suit, with DGP Rajiv Sharma in Jaipur directing officers to maintain strict border surveillance and inspect all vehicles entering from other states. Rajasthan police have particularly increased patrols in border districts to prevent any cross-border movements linked to the blast.
Delhi Red Fort Blast: Security Tightened at Indo-Nepal Border
Given the open nature of the Indo-Nepal border, the Border Security Force (BSF) and local law enforcement units have intensified monitoring efforts. Intelligence officials confirmed that every individual crossing the border is being closely scrutinized to prevent any potential escape or infiltration linked to the attack.
Central Agencies Step In: NIA and NSG Deployed
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation, working jointly with the Delhi Police Special Cell and the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS). Commandos from the National Security Guard (NSG) are already stationed at the site, searching for secondary devices or evidence of coordinated planning.
Forensic experts are examining the car’s remnants to determine the nature of the explosive material used. Initial findings suggest it may have contained ammonium nitrate, a chemical often used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
This comes just hours after police busted an interstate terror module and seized nearly 2,900 kilograms of suspected ammonium nitrate, raising fears of a larger coordinated plot to destabilize the national capital.
Scene of Chaos and Courage
As night fell, the area around Red Fort—usually vibrant with tourists and street vendors—stood eerily silent under the flashing lights of emergency vehicles. Local residents recounted scenes of chaos and bravery as bystanders rushed to help the injured. “People were screaming, but some stayed to help pull victims out of burning vehicles,” said Rajesh Kumar, a shopkeeper nearby.
The Delhi Fire Department praised the swift response of its personnel and citizens who assisted in rescue operations before medical teams arrived.