A devastating car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort killed at least ten and injured dozens, prompting nationwide outrage and condolences from top leaders, including PM Modi and Rajnath Singh, as authorities probe possible terror links behind the tragic blast.
A powerful explosion near Delhi’s iconic Red Fort on Monday evening left the nation in shock, claiming at least 10 lives and injuring over a dozen others. The incident, which occurred around 7 p.m. near Gate No. 1 of the Lal Qila Metro Station, sent panic through the bustling Old Delhi area and raised major national security concerns.
Blast Triggers Panic in Old Delhi
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a deafening sound that “felt like an earthquake,” as the blast ripped through a Hyundai i20 car, igniting several nearby vehicles and shattering windows of nearby shops and houses.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, with seven fire tenders deployed to douse the flames and evacuate the injured. The victims were taken to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, where several remain in critical condition.
Authorities immediately cordoned off the area as bomb disposal squads and forensic experts began examining the site. A senior Delhi Police officer confirmed that all angles, including a possible terror link, are being investigated.
PM Modi Reviews Situation, Expresses Grief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident, terming it a “heartbreaking and disturbing development.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:
“Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast in Delhi earlier this evening. May the injured recover at the earliest. Those affected are being assisted by authorities. Reviewed the situation with Home Minister Amit Shah Ji and other officials.”
According to sources, the Prime Minister spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah soon after the incident, directing authorities to ensure swift rescue operations and a comprehensive probe into the cause of the explosion.
Amit Shah: ‘All Possibilities Being Investigated’
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing the media later in the evening, confirmed that the explosion occurred inside a parked car near Red Fort. He stated that Delhi Police, National Investigation Agency (NIA), and National Security Guard (NSG) are jointly investigating the case.
“All possibilities are being examined, and the investigation will proceed keeping every angle in mind. Once we have conclusive findings, they will be shared with the public,” Shah said.
The Home Minister also confirmed that he had spoken to Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha and top officials of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Special Cell, instructing them to secure the area and review CCTV footage from the vicinity.
High Alert in Delhi, Mumbai, and Uttar Pradesh
Following the blast, authorities issued high alerts in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, including Mumbai. Security was also tightened around key government installations and the RSS headquarters in Nagpur.
Officials said that forensic teams have been dispatched to collect residue samples from the blast site, and sniffer dogs have been deployed to search for traces of additional explosives.
The Delhi Police’s Special Cell has cordoned off the area around Red Fort, one of the capital’s most crowded zones, often frequented by tourists and commuters. Traffic was diverted from the surrounding routes as a precautionary measure.
Leaders Across Party Lines Express Condolences
The tragic blast has drawn an outpouring of grief and condemnation from political leaders across the spectrum.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the explosion “extremely painful and disturbing,” expressing condolences to the bereaved families and praying for the recovery of the injured.
“At this moment of immense grief, I extend my sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he said on X.
BJP President JP Nadda echoed similar sentiments, saying the entire nation stands with the victims’ families.
“Anguished by the loss of lives in the tragic car blast in New Delhi. Authorities are ensuring that all necessary medical assistance reaches the injured,” he posted.
Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Nitin Gadkari, Sarbananda Sonowal, Anurag Thakur, and Jyotiraditya Scindia also conveyed their grief, calling the incident “deeply distressing and heartbreaking.”
Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar, and Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Hemant Soren too expressed their condolences, urging for unity and resilience in the face of tragedy.
Opposition Leaders Call for Transparent Probe
Leaders from opposition parties demanded a swift and transparent investigation into what they termed a “grave lapse” in security near one of the most heavily guarded monuments in India.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said,
“Extremely distressing to hear about the explosion near Red Fort. Several precious lives have been lost. The government must ensure accountability for this serious breach in a high-security zone.”
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav described the incident as “tragic and alarming,” while Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav called for unity and cautioned against politicizing the tragedy.
“National security must be above politics. We stand with the government in ensuring justice,” Yadav said.
Possible Terror Links Under Investigation
The timing of the explosion has raised concerns in the security establishment, coming just hours after Jammu & Kashmir Police busted a transnational terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind in Faridabad, Haryana — less than 50 km from the national capital.
Officials recovered nearly 2,900 kg of explosives, along with firearms, timers, and detonators, during the raid, arresting seven suspects.
Though investigators have not confirmed a direct connection between the two incidents, senior officials are probing whether the Red Fort blast was part of a larger coordinated plan to destabilize key cities ahead of the Bihar assembly elections.
Nation in Mourning
As the investigation continues, the country remains united in grief. Flags at several government offices were lowered to half-mast in tribute to the victims, and prayers were held across temples, mosques, and churches in Delhi.
People took to social media expressing solidarity under the hashtag #RedFortBlast, with thousands demanding justice and enhanced security measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Authorities Urge Calm, Promise Justice
Late Monday night, the Delhi Police issued an appeal for calm, urging citizens not to spread rumors or share unverified videos from the site.
Home Ministry sources confirmed that a comprehensive report will be presented to the Prime Minister’s Office within 24 hours, with updates on forensic findings and the preliminary cause of the blast.
| Also Read: J&K Police foil major terror plot, seize 2,900 kg explosives |
As the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives, there is a renewed call for vigilance and unity in the face of yet another reminder of the ever-present threat of violence in public spaces.
