A high-intensity explosion ripped through a car near the Red Fort Metro Station in Old Delhi on Monday evening, leaving at least nine people dead and over two dozen injured, officials confirmed. The powerful blast, which occurred during peak evening hours, set multiple vehicles ablaze and sent shockwaves across the capital.
According to Delhi Police, the explosion occurred around 6:30 p.m., close to the Red Fort and the bustling Chandni Chowk area — both popular commercial and tourist zones. The blast site quickly turned chaotic as flames engulfed nearby vehicles, and locals rushed to help the injured before emergency teams arrived.
Videos shared by the Chandni Chowk Traders’ Association showed the magnitude of the explosion, with visuals of gutted vehicles, debris scattered across the road, and disturbing scenes of human casualties. Eyewitnesses reported that body parts were found near the blast site, underscoring the severity of the impact.
At least nine people lost their lives, while 24 others sustained injuries, many of them with severe burns and fractures. The injured were immediately rushed to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, located a few kilometers away.
Senior officials from Delhi Police, the Fire Department, and the National Security Guard (NSG) reached the spot soon after the explosion to assess the situation and collect forensic evidence. Bomb disposal units were also deployed to rule out the presence of secondary explosives.
On Tuesday, Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Kotwali Police Station under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosives Act, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The FIR includes Sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA, which deal with punishment and conspiracy related to terror activities. The police stated that the nature of the blast and its target indicate the possibility of a terror link, though investigations are still underway.
Following the blast, Delhi was placed on high alert, with heightened security at Indira Gandhi International Airport, railway stations, and interstate bus terminals. Police teams have launched raids at multiple locations across the National Capital Region (NCR) in search of suspects and potential leads.
A senior police officer said, “We are not ruling out any angle. Multiple teams are working with the NSG and forensic experts to determine the type of explosive used and the motive behind the attack.”
The incident has raised serious concerns about security in the national capital, particularly in areas of high public footfall such as Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Chandni Chowk. Authorities have intensified patrolling, surveillance, and identity verification across central and north Delhi districts.
Residents of the area, still shaken by the explosion, expressed anger and fear. “We heard a deafening sound, and within seconds, there was fire everywhere. People were screaming and running for cover,” said Rafiq Ahmad, a shop owner near the metro station.
Initial reports suggest that the blast originated from a slow-moving car at a traffic signal near the Red Fort Metro Station. Forensic experts are examining vehicle remains and chemical traces to identify the explosive material used.
Officials said the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) may join the probe if evidence points toward a larger conspiracy.
The Red Fort blast in Delhi has once again highlighted the vulnerability of crowded urban areas to acts of terror and violence. As investigators piece together evidence, the priority remains to identify the perpetrators and ensure such incidents do not recur.
Authorities have appealed to the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately to law enforcement agencies.
