A powerful explosion inside a car near the historic Red Fort area in Delhi on Monday evening resulted in at least eight people losing their lives and 20 others being injured. The incident occurred around 6.52 pm local time when a slow-moving car stopped at a red light near the Red Fort metro station and suddenly detonated. Several nearby vehicles, including cars and auto-rickshaws, were engulfed in flames as the blast shook the busy Old Delhi neighbourhood.
Security agencies swiftly cordoned off the location and dispatched fire-service teams and ambulances. The vehicle involved, a Hyundai i20, has been the subject of intensive investigation as forensic teams comb the site for clues. Authorities have now registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosive Substances Act, signalling that the explosion is being treated as a possible terrorist incident.
Earlier in the day, security forces in Faridabad had seized a large cache of explosives and bomb-making material linked to an alleged terror module. Investigators say the car used in the blast may have been part of that network and are analysing ownership links, movement of the vehicle and surveillance footage. One suspect has been detained while police trace multiple previous owners who registered the vehicle in different states.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the blast site and said all angles are under investigation. The Prime Minister expressed condolences to the bereaved families and called for urgent conclusions from security agencies. Several states
The explosion near the Red Fort, a prominent national landmark and part of Delhi’s major tourist circuit, raises broader questions about urban security and the ability of agencies to prevent high-scale attacks in heavily-guarded zones. A full network-analysis and forensic report are expected in the coming days as officials prepare for further action.
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