A high-intensity explosion in a car near the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening has sent shockwaves through the capital, claiming the lives of at least 8 people and injuring over 20 others, according to Delhi Police and official sources. The incident, which occurred in a high-security and densely crowded area of Old Delhi, has triggered a nationwide security alert and initiated a multi-agency terror probe.
The blast, which ripped through a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car near the Subhash Marg traffic signal around 6:52 PM IST, has brought back grim memories of past attacks in the capital.
Key Developments in the Red Fort Metro Blast Investigation
Fatalities and Casualties
- 8 people have been confirmed dead, with the toll still subject to final confirmation.
- 20 to 24 individuals were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals, including Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital.
- The explosion completely gutted the Hyundai i20 and caused significant damage to nearby vehicles, including auto-rickshaws and other cars.
High-Level Government and Agency Response
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the blast site and the hospital to meet the injured, stating that “all possibilities are being explored and a thorough investigation will be conducted.”
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been briefed on the situation and is monitoring the developments closely.
- Elite teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Security Guard (NSG), and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) immediately reached the scene to collect crucial evidence and determine the exact nature of the explosive used.
- Security agencies have placed the Delhi Metro and other key installations on high alert.
Focus on the Exploded Vehicle
Investigators have quickly traced the registered owner of the Hyundai i20 car to a person in Gurugram, Haryana. However, sources indicate the car may have changed hands multiple times, with the last known sale linking the vehicle to an individual from Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir.
This development is being intensely scrutinised, especially as the blast occurred just hours after a massive cache of suspected explosive material and arms were recovered in Faridabad, Haryana. Authorities are actively investigating any potential linkages between the two incidents.
🔎 Terror Angle Under Scrutiny
While officials have not yet released a definitive statement on the motive, the timing and location—close to the iconic Red Fort (a target in the 2000 Lashkar-e-Taiba attack)—have raised the possibility of a terror conspiracy.
The investigation is exploring:
- The nature of the explosive material used in the high-intensity blast.
- The travel history and occupants of the exploded Hyundai i20.
- A possible link to the recent recovery of Ammonium Nitrate and the arrests made in the Faridabad terror conspiracy case.
The entire area around Red Fort Metro Gate No. 1 has been cordoned off as forensic and anti-terror units sift through the debris for clues. Authorities have appealed to the public to avoid spreading rumours and to rely only on official statements as the city remains on high alert.
