A powerful explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday evening sent shockwaves across the national capital, killing at least eight people and injuring several others. The blast, which occurred around 6:52 pm on Netaji Subhash Marg, has triggered a massive security response, with agencies including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Security Guard (NSG), and Delhi Police’s Special Cell launching a multi-agency probe. Despite heightened security and widespread concern, schools, colleges, and major markets across Delhi-NCR are functioning as usual, as no closure orders have been issued by the government.
Authorities confirmed that the blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car near the Lal Qila Metro Station’s Gate No. 1, close to one of Delhi’s most iconic landmarks, the Red Fort. Several nearby vehicles caught fire as a result of the explosion, prompting a swift response from the Delhi Fire Services, police, and central investigative agencies. The incident has led to intensified security not only in Delhi but across multiple states, including Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, as investigators explore possible terror links.
Schools, Colleges and Markets Remain Open Amid Heightened Security
In the aftermath of the explosion, a wave of anxiety swept through Delhi-NCR as parents and residents speculated about potential disruptions to daily life. However, the Delhi government clarified that there were no plans to close educational institutions. All schools and colleges in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad remained open on Tuesday, though security checks were notably stricter than usual.
Authorities issued precautionary alerts to educational institutions, directing them to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Security presence was increased at several schools, particularly those located in central and north Delhi, where the blast impact was most acutely felt.
Similarly, Delhi’s bustling commercial hubs — including Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, and Khan Market — continued normal operations. The Chandni Chowk market, located near the blast site, reopened on Tuesday morning with additional police deployment to ensure public safety. Shopkeepers expressed concern but said shutting down was not a viable option, especially ahead of the festive season.
Railway stations across the National Capital Region, including New Delhi, Old Delhi, Anand Vihar, Hazrat Nizamuddin, and Ghaziabad, were also placed on high alert. Luggage checks were intensified, and canine units were deployed at key terminals. Metro services continued without interruption, though random baggage checks and increased personnel presence were visible across several stations.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, briefing the media, said that the situation was under control and urged citizens to avoid panic. “An explosion occurred in a slow-moving vehicle that had stopped at a red light. Due to the blast, nearby vehicles sustained damage. All agencies, including the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), NIA, and NSG, are coordinating to establish the cause and nature of the explosion,” Golcha said. He also confirmed that Home Minister Amit Shah had been in continuous contact with the Delhi Police, monitoring the developments closely.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), offered condolences to the victims’ families and assured that the investigation would be pursued with “full intensity.” He stated that the crime branch, special branch, and forensic teams arrived at the site within minutes and had already begun collecting evidence and reviewing CCTV footage from the area.
Multi-State Investigation Underway as Agencies Probe Terror Link
As the investigation deepens, authorities have confirmed that the blast was caused by an explosive device placed inside the Hyundai i20 car. Preliminary findings suggest that the vehicle may have been part of a larger network under surveillance for suspected terrorist activity. An FIR was registered under multiple sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosive Substances Act, indicating that investigators are treating the explosion as a possible act of terror.
According to Delhi Police spokespersons, Sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA — which pertain to terrorist acts and support for terrorism — have been invoked, along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Explosive Substances Act. The inclusion of these sections underscores the seriousness of the case and the government’s intent to treat it as an act threatening national security.
Investigators quickly traced the car’s registration to Gurugram, identifying the original owner as a man named Salman. Gurugram Police spokesperson Sandeep Kumar said Salman had sold the vehicle approximately 18 months ago to a man named Devender, a resident of Okhla. “We have handed over Salman to the Delhi Police for questioning. Devender has been detained by Delhi Police, and both individuals are being interrogated to trace the chain of subsequent sales and establish who was in possession of the vehicle at the time of the blast,” Kumar said.
Officials from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) confirmed that samples from the blast site had been collected and sent for examination. The FSL stated that the nature and type of explosive would be determined after laboratory analysis, which could provide crucial leads regarding its source and composition. Preliminary observations suggest that the explosive was powerful enough to ignite nearby vehicles and cause extensive damage within a short radius.
Meanwhile, the NSG’s bomb disposal squad conducted multiple controlled checks around the area to rule out the presence of secondary devices. The Red Fort area, one of the city’s most visited heritage sites, remained heavily guarded, with entry restricted for tourists until further notice.
Across state lines, intelligence agencies have been put on alert, particularly in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir. In Bihar, which entered the second phase of its assembly elections on Tuesday, additional security personnel were deployed at polling stations following the incident. Police presence was also increased in Mumbai, Pune, and Lucknow, where crowded public spaces are being closely monitored for any suspicious activity.
Sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that central intelligence units are examining whether the blast has any link to existing terror modules or sleeper cells operating across northern India. The car’s possible connection to an earlier explosives seizure in Faridabad is also under investigation, with agencies exploring if the same network could have facilitated the supply of materials used in Monday’s explosion.
Residents living near the Red Fort described the moment of the blast as one of chaos and confusion. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by flames engulfing the vehicle. “We heard a deafening sound, and within seconds, the area was filled with smoke. Vehicles nearby caught fire, and people started running in panic,” said Ravi Kumar, a shop owner in the vicinity.
Several victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, including Lok Nayak Hospital and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Trauma Centre. Doctors said that most injuries resulted from burns and shrapnel wounds, while a few patients suffered severe trauma from the explosion’s impact.
Investigative teams are now reconstructing the sequence of events leading up to the explosion, using CCTV footage from nearby establishments, traffic cameras, and metro station surveillance systems. Early visuals reportedly show the car slowing down near a traffic signal moments before the blast occurred. Authorities are also examining whether a timer device or remote detonation mechanism was used.
As Delhi reels under the shock of the tragedy, security has been intensified at major landmarks including India Gate, Parliament Street, Rajpath, and Connaught Place. Traffic diversions have been introduced near sensitive zones, and vehicles are being thoroughly checked at border entry points.
A senior Delhi Police official said that while the motive remains unclear, the coordination between various agencies has been seamless. “Our teams are working round-the-clock to piece together the evidence. Every possible angle — from criminal intent to organized terror — is being scrutinized. The findings of the forensic tests will be crucial in determining the nature of the explosion,” the official stated.
With national security agencies, forensic experts, and intelligence units now converging on the case, the Red Fort blast is shaping into one of the most significant terror-related investigations in recent years. As the probe continues, Delhi remains on high alert, and the capital’s resilience is once again being tested in the face of fear and uncertainty.
