Delhi Red Fort blast kills nine in suspected terror attack
A devastating car explosion near Delhi's historic Red Fort has claimed nine lives and injured at least 20 others, sending shockwaves through India's capital and raising serious security concerns across the region.
The blast occurred at 6:52 PM on Monday evening when a Hyundai i20 vehicle exploded at a traffic signal near Gate No. 1 of Red Fort Metro Station. The explosion's force was so powerful that it ignited six nearby cars, four motorcycles, and three e-rickshaws, creating scenes of devastation in one of Delhi's most iconic areas.
Government response and security measures
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently visiting Bhutan, has assured the nation that the "conspirators" behind the incident will face justice. Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that investigators are "exploring all possibilities" as the cause of the blast remains undetermined.
The incident has prompted authorities to declare high alert status across Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, and several other states. The iconic Red Fort has been closed to visitors for three days, while the Lal Qila Metro Station remains shut for security reasons.
Delhi Police have registered a case under the anti-terror Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosives Act, indicating the serious nature of the investigation.
Timing raises security concerns
The explosion occurred just hours after authorities discovered over 360 kilograms of explosives in the rented accommodation of a Kashmiri doctor in Faridabad, Haryana, approximately 50 kilometres from Delhi. This timing has heightened concerns about potential coordinated threats to national security.
Victims span diverse backgrounds
The casualties represent a cross-section of Indian society, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the tragedy. Among the deceased was Ashok Kumar, a bus conductor from Uttar Pradesh's Amroha who worked for Delhi Transport Corporation and moonlighted as a security guard to support his family of eight.
Lokesh Agarwal, a fertiliser trader who had travelled to Delhi to visit a relative in hospital, died alongside his friend Ashok after stopping to meet him near the blast site. Family members described Agarwal as a "kind-hearted" community worker whose loss has devastated his hometown.
Other victims included Amar Kataria, a 34-year-old businessman from Sriniwaspuri, and 22-year-old trader Nauman from Shamli district, who had come to Delhi to purchase cosmetics for his business. Mohsin, a Meerut resident living in Delhi with his wife and two children while driving an e-rickshaw for income, also perished in the blast.
Survivors recount terror
The injured, treated at Lok Nayak Hospital's emergency ward, provided harrowing accounts of the incident. Joginder Singh, a 34-year-old cab driver, lost his vehicle purchased just two months earlier with his life savings. "My cab is gone, completely burned," he told reporters.
Twenty-year-old Rahul Kaushik, returning from a temple visit with friend Ankush Sharma, managed to take his severely burned companion to hospital despite his own injuries before his condition deteriorated. Ankush suffered 80 percent burns to his face and body.
Several other victims, including women visiting a local temple and traders conducting business in the area, sustained various injuries ranging from burns to hearing damage from the explosion's intensity.
Regional security implications
This incident underscores ongoing security challenges facing India's capital and the broader National Capital Region. The proximity to the Red Fort, a symbol of India's independence and sovereignty, adds particular significance to the attack's location.
The coordinated response across multiple states reflects the government's recognition of potential wider threats, while the invocation of anti-terrorism legislation suggests authorities view this as more than an isolated incident.
As investigations continue, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the persistent security vulnerabilities in urban India, particularly around high-profile historical sites that attract both tourists and daily commuters.