A massive explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening left at least eight people dead and several others injured, prompting a full-scale terror investigation and high alert across several states.
According to officials, the blast occurred around 6:52 pm near Gate 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station. A Hyundai i20 car, reportedly bearing Haryana registration plates, either exploded or caught fire while stationary at a traffic signal. The impact was so strong that nearby vehicles, rickshaws and motorcycles also caught fire, creating scenes of chaos and panic in one of the busiest parts of Old Delhi.
Firefighters and ambulances rushed to the scene within minutes. Eyewitnesses reported that several bodies were thrown out of the vehicle due to the impact of the explosion. The intensity of the fire made rescue operations difficult, and traffic in the entire Red Fort area was immediately halted.
Authorities have registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code. The case is being handled by Delhi Police’s Special Cell and the National Investigation Agency has been informed. Forensic experts have collected samples from the blast site to determine the nature of the explosives used.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the car might have been parked in the area for several hours before the explosion. Investigators are also tracing the ownership history of the vehicle. Two individuals have been detained for questioning, and one of the former owners is believed to have links with a network operating from Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials said the explosion came a day after a huge cache of explosives weighing more than two thousand kilograms was recovered from Faridabad. Investigators are probing a possible connection between both incidents. Security sources have not ruled out the possibility of a larger conspiracy involving multiple modules operating in northern India.
Home Minister Amit Shah convened an emergency meeting with senior intelligence and security officials late in the evening. He directed that all angles be investigated and instructed the Delhi Police to tighten security in and around the national capital. Following the meeting, all central and state agencies were put on alert.
High alert has been declared across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Security has been strengthened at major transport hubs, religious places, shopping complexes, railway stations and metro networks. Patrol teams, bomb disposal squads and dog units have been deployed to carry out extensive searches and prevent any further incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the deaths and extended condolences to the families of the victims. He also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the explosion. The Prime Minister said that the nation stands united against any attempt to disturb peace and harmony.
Senior officials of the Delhi Police said that forensic examination, CCTV footage analysis and mobile tower tracking are underway to establish the sequence of events. The possibility of remote detonation or timer-based triggering is being examined.
Authorities have urged citizens to stay calm, avoid spreading rumours and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station. Extra vigilance is being maintained across all sensitive areas in the national capital.
At this stage, officials have not confirmed whether the explosion was caused by a technical malfunction or a deliberate act. All possibilities remain open, as multiple teams continue to work through the night to uncover the truth behind the deadly Red Fort car explosion.
Dheeraj reports on governance, public services, jobs, and regional developments across Uttarakhand. He specialises in recruitment news, public-sector updates, and civic issues that impact everyday citizens. His reporting brings accuracy, context, and a grassroots perspective to local journalism.
