A powerful blast near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening killed at least nine people and injured around twenty others. The explosion occurred around 6:50 pm near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station when a white Hyundai i20 car suddenly went up in flames at a traffic signal.
Police said three people were inside the car when it exploded. The impact was so strong that nearby vehicles caught fire and windows of nearby shops shattered. Forensic teams are examining debris as initial reports suggest the use of high-grade explosives.
The area has been sealed, and a high alert has been declared across Delhi. The NIA and Delhi Police Special Cell are jointly probing the case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Forensic teams found traces of high-grade explosives, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has joined the probe. The car is registered in Haryana and linked to a resident from Jammu & Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Home Minister Amit Shah said the blast is being investigated “with full intensity” and all agencies are working together to identify those behind it.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, assuring that “those responsible will not be spared.”
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal called it a “tragic and alarming” incident, urging swift action to strengthen the city’s security.
Authorities have closed the Red Fort to visitors for three days and tightened security checks across metro stations and public places.