Delhi Red Fort blast: 9 dead, 22 vehicles damaged; NIA and Delhi Police launch high-level probe

Panic gripped central Delhi after a car exploded near Red Fort Metro Station during peak evening hours, triggering a major security alert and nationwide concern.

A powerful explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening sent shockwaves across the capital. The incident occurred around 6:52 PM near Gate No. 1, when a car moving slowly through heavy rush-hour traffic suddenly exploded.

Eyewitnesses said the area was crowded with vehicles and pedestrians when the car burst into flames. Within moments, fire spread to nearby vehicles, igniting chaos and panic. According to initial reports, three people were inside the car, all of whom are believed to have died in the blast.

The explosion caused severe damage to around 22 vehicles, including cars and auto-rickshaws parked nearby. Fire tenders and Delhi Police rushed to the scene to douse the flames and control the situation. Forensic teams soon arrived to collect debris, metal fragments, and other materials for analysis. Officials are examining whether any explosive substances or improvised devices were used.

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and intelligence agencies have taken over the case. The entire area around the Red Fort Metro Station has been sealed, and investigators are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the vehicle’s movements and confirm the identity of the victims.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached the site soon after the incident, overseeing emergency operations and reviewing the investigation. Later, he visited LNJP Hospital to meet the injured and directed officials not to overlook any lead. He warned that the perpetrators behind the explosion would face severe consequences, calling the blast a “serious act that demands swift justice.”

Meanwhile, security has been tightened across Delhi’s metro stations, airports, and vital installations. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also called for a high-level review meeting, where NIA and Delhi Police are expected to release official findings.

Early reports suggest that the explosion might not have been an intentional terror attack but could have resulted from explosive materials being transported for another purpose. However, officials have not ruled out any possibility until the investigation concludes.

This marks Delhi’s most serious explosion since 2011, reigniting fears of urban vulnerability and raising questions about security preparedness in the national capital.