A powerful blast near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening has left eight people dead and at least 20 injured, triggering a massive security alert across the national capital. The explosion took place at 6:52 pm in a Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort Metro Station, just meters away from one of India’s busiest tourist and trading zones.
What Happened at the Red Fort Blast Site
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by a ball of fire and chaos as nearby vehicles caught fire. “The car stopped at a red light before it exploded,” said Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, confirming that the blast damaged several nearby vehicles.
Twenty fire engines rushed to the scene as police and anti-terror units cordoned off the area. Visuals from the site showed thick flames and smoke billowing from the wreckage, sending panic through the evening crowd.
Who is Behind Delhi Bomb Blast?
Early Leads and Key Suspects
Initial investigations revealed that the car involved in the explosion was registered under number HR26 CE 7674, previously owned by a Mohd Salman from Gurugram. He told police he had sold the vehicle to a man named Tariq, a resident of Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir.
Authorities are now investigating whether the car changed hands again after Tariq’s purchase. The Pulwama link has intensified suspicion of a possible terror connection.
Connection to the Faridabad Explosive Seizure
Hours before the Delhi explosion, Jammu and Kashmir Police had seized 3,000 kg of explosives from two residential buildings in Faridabad, Haryana, following the arrest of Dr. Adil Rather, a J&K-based suspect. Investigators believe both incidents could be linked as part of a wider terror plot.
Government and Security Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the victims and confirmed that he is personally reviewing the situation. Home Minister Amit Shah stated that all angles are being investigated and no possibility is being ruled out.
The Delhi Police Special Cell, National Investigation Agency (NIA), and Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) are jointly analyzing evidence, including CCTV footage, vehicle fragments, and call records. A high alert has been issued in Delhi and neighboring states.
What’s Next
Authorities are now tracking the movement of the Hyundai i20 from Gurugram to Delhi and examining forensic samples from the site to determine the type of explosive used. The discovery of ammonium nitrate in the Faridabad case has raised suspicions that similar materials could have been used in the Delhi blast.
The Pulwama connection, the timing of the Faridabad seizure, and the method of detonation are currently at the center of the ongoing probe.