Delhi Red Fort Explosion: 9 Dead, Multiple Injured As Massive Explosion Rocks National Capital

New Delhi: A massive explosion outside Red Fort Metro Station Gate No. 1, near Gaurishankar temple in New Delhi, triggered panic in the area.

Delhi Police are on the spot. The blast was reported at 6:55 PM.

“A call was received regarding an explosion in a car near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station, after which three to four vehicles also caught fire and sustained damage,” said the Delhi Fire Services (DFS).

Nine people have died and multiple others have been injured in the incident, according to sources. The injured have been shifted to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital.

A few suspects have been taken into custody, according to sources.

The explosion reportedly occurred in a car parked near the Red Fort area. Car parts are seen strewn around the site due to the force of the blast.

The Fire Department is on the scene to take stock of the situation. Fifteen fire tenders were dispatched to the spot to douse the flames. A dog squad, Bomb Squad, and forensic teams have also been rushed to the site.

Teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG) are also present. The Delhi Police Special Cell is also present at the scene. Senior officers of the Delhi Police Crime Branch have also reached the spot.

Statements of Police and Eye-Witnesses

The Delhi Commissioner of Police Satish Golcha has briefed Home Secretary Govind Mohan on the blast. He has also spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Regarding the explosion, Deputy Chief Fire Officer AK Malik said, “We got information that there was a blast in a car near Chandni Chowk Metro Station. We responded immediately, and seven units were sent to the spot. At 7:29 PM, the fire was brought under control. There is a possibility that there are casualties in this. All our teams are present at the spot.”

A Delhi Police official told ANI, “As of now, I can't tell you anything. Investigation is being done.”

Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said, "Today at around 6:52 PM, a slow-moving vehicle stopped at the red light. An explosion occurred in that vehicle, and nearby vehicles were also damaged. All agencies, including the FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) and NIA (National Investigation Agency), are present at the scene. Tragically, some people have died, and others have been injured in the incident. The situation is being monitored. The Home Minister has also called us, and information is being shared with him from time to time."

An eyewitness told ANI, “When we saw someone's hand on the road, we were absolutely shocked. I can't explain it in words.”

The entire area has been cordoned off following the incident.

The fire spread to 37 vehicles parked around Lal Quila metro station Gate No. 1, according to reports. 6 cars, 4 bikes, and 4 e-rickshaws have caught fire in the explosion, reports said.

Police sources have confirmed that the fire is now under control.

Barricades have been put up around a 5 km radius of the Lal Quila/Chandni Chowk area. The route from Daryaganj to Red Fort metro station has been blocked following the blast. Gate no 1 and 4 of the metro station near Red Fort has been cordoned off. A total of 15 barricades have been put up near Red fort and Connaught Place and connecting areas of India Gate. Entry to the Chandni Chowk market has been closed. Shopkeepers have been asked to immediately vacate the market area around Red Fort.

What Caused the Explosion?

An investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause of the blast. Sources confirm that officials have not ruled out the terror angle. 

The explosion happened in a slow moving vehicle and because of that blast, the nearby vehicles caught fire, Delhi police said. 

Delhi NCR has been put on high alert following the explosion.

NIA teams are conducting chemical analysis of the material suspected of being used in the explosion.

Uttar Pradesh Put on Red Alert

Uttar Pradesh has been put on a red alert in the wake of a blast near Gate no 1 of the Red Fort Metro station in Delhi.

Speaking to ANI, Uttar Pradesh ADG Law and Order Amitabh Yash said that the DGP has issued instructions to all senior officials in Uttar Pradesh to increase security at sensitive religious sites, sensitive districts, and border areas. All security agencies have also been alerted. Police in all districts of Uttar Pradesh have been put on alert. An order was issued from Lucknow to increase patrols and checks in sensitive areas.

There is a heavy police deployment in the Noida-Delhi border area and barricades have been put up there.

Security has been heightened around the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued instructions to police officers after the blast regarding strict surveillance at major locations, including religious sites, markets and crowded areas. Police officers have also been asked to remain alert in sensitive districts. They have further been asked to actively monitor social media and rumors floating around the explosion.

Mumbai on High Alert

Mumbai has also been put on high alert after the explosion in Delhi's Red Fort area.

PM Modi Speaks to HM Amit Shah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken stock of the situation and he also took an update on the situation from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, ANI reported, citing Government of India sources.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Delhi Police Commissioner and the Director of the Intelligence Bureau to take stock of the situation, according to sources.

Home Minister Amit Shah directed the chiefs of the NIA, NSG (National Security Guard), and Forensic Sciences to rush teams to assist the probe and collect evidence, sources said.

Amit Shah's Statement

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi at 7 pm on Monday, and the explosion injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles.

The Home Minister told ANI that teams from the Delhi Crime Branch and Delhi Special Branch arrived at the spot within 10 minutes of receiving the information of the blast.

He said preliminary reports indicate that some people have lost their lives.

"This evening, around 7 pm, a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi. The blast injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles. Preliminary reports indicate that some people have lost their lives. Within 10 minutes of receiving the information of the blast, teams from the Delhi Crime Branch and Delhi Special Branch arrived at the spot," Amit Shah said.

Amit Shah said the NSG and NIA teams, along with the FSL, have now begun a thorough investigation, and orders have been given to examine all nearby CCTV cameras.

"I have also spoken to the Delhi CP and the Special Branch in-charge. The Delhi CP and the Special Branch in-charge are present at the spot. We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account. All options will be investigated immediately and we will present the results to the public," he said.

Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha said earlier that a slow-moving vehicle stopped at red light in the area near Red Fort Metro Station in the national capital and an explosion occurred in that vehicle which damaged nearby vehicles.

J&K Police Reach Spot

Jammu and Kashmir Police teams have also reached the site of the blast.

Gujarat Police has connected with Delhi Police regarding the incident.

Actions in Other Cities

Bengaluru Police are on high alert. The City Police Commissioner has issued instructions to carry out patrolling in all police station areas.

Other instructions include inspection of lodges, enhancing of security for offices under the Central Government, questioning of suspicious persons, increasing night patrols,

A High Alert has also been sounded in Kolkata following the blast near the Red Fort. Kolkata Police has alerted all units, and Naka checks (roadblocks/checkpoints) have begun across the city.