Red Fort Blast 8 Killed After Car Explosion In Delhi
Red Fort blast in Delhi kills 8 - Amit Shah visits site as NIA investigates suspected car explosion near monument.
A powerful explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday evening left at least 8 people dead and several others critically injured. According to early reports, the blast occurred inside a parked car close to the main entry gate, sending shockwaves across the capital.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to the site
within an hour of the incident, accompanied by senior officials from the Delhi
Police, National Investigation Agency (NIA), and Central Forensic
teams. The entire area has been cordoned off, and an emergency response
unit is conducting rescue and evacuation operations.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as the explosion
shattered nearby windows and triggered panic among locals and tourists visiting
the iconic monument. “We heard a loud boom, and within seconds, smoke filled
the area. People started running in all directions,” said Ravi Sharma, a
shopkeeper near the fort.
Initial investigations suggest that the explosion originated
from a white sedan parked illegally near the fort’s eastern gate. Authorities
are still determining whether the blast was accidental or a planned terror
attack. Forensic experts have reportedly found traces of high-grade explosives
at the site, raising suspicions of a deliberate act.
Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora confirmed that
all nearby CCTV footage is being reviewed. “We are not ruling out any
possibility. The investigation will cover every angle, including terrorism,” he
told reporters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was briefed
immediately after the explosion, expressed grief over the loss of lives and
directed officials to ensure the best medical care for the injured. Hospitals
across central Delhi, including LNJP and RML, have been placed on
high alert, and additional blood supply has been dispatched for emergency
surgeries.
Traffic around the Red Fort area has been completely halted
as bomb squads conduct secondary sweeps to rule out additional explosives.
Security forces have also intensified checks at major metro stations, airports,
and railway hubs across the city.
Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking to the media at the scene,
stated, “This is a tragic and cowardly act. Those responsible will not be
spared. The government will ensure swift justice.”
Officials have confirmed that among the victims are two
tourists and a police constable who was stationed near the site. Families of
the deceased will receive compensation, and an emergency helpline has been
activated for those seeking information about missing persons.
The Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a
symbol of India’s independence, attracts thousands of visitors daily. Security
had been heightened in the area following recent intelligence warnings, but the
sudden blast has once again exposed vulnerabilities in urban safety protocols.
As the investigation unfolds, the nation mourns the loss of
innocent lives and awaits answers behind the devastating Red Fort car
explosion that has shaken Delhi to its core.
