A Deadly Blast in Old Delhi A massive explosion ripped through a crowded area near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday evening, killing and injuring many bystanders. At least nine people were killed and 20 injured in the blast, which occurred at a traffic intersection close to the Lal Qila (Red Fort) Metro Station indianexpress.com . The explosion originated from a white Hyundai i20 car that had stopped at a red light, and the blast’s impact engulfed nearby vehicles in flames reuters.com . Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos – shattered glass, burning cars, and people screaming – in what is one of the worst bomb blasts Delhi has seen in over a decade reuters.com . Authorities immediately cordoned off the area as rescuers and forensic teams moved in, treating the site as a potential terror crime scene. Scenes of Chaos and Human Tragedy The blast struck during the busy evening rush hour (around 6:52 pm local time) when the area near Red Fort and the adja...
A Deadly Blast in Old Delhi
A massive explosion ripped through a crowded area near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on Monday evening, killing and injuring many bystanders. At least nine people were killed and 20 injured in the blast, which occurred at a traffic intersection close to the Lal Qila (Red Fort) Metro Station. The explosion originated from a white Hyundai i20 car that had stopped at a red light, and the blast’s impact engulfed nearby vehicles in flames. Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos – shattered glass, burning cars, and people screaming – in what is one of the worst bomb blasts Delhi has seen in over a decade. Authorities immediately cordoned off the area as rescuers and forensic teams moved in, treating the site as a potential terror crime scene.
Scenes of Chaos and Human Tragedy
The blast struck during the busy evening rush hour (around 6:52 pm local time) when the area near Red Fort and the adjacent Chandni Chowk market was packed with commuters and shoppers. Panic and confusion swept through the old city as people ran for cover. “Suddenly there was a sound of a blast… we saw someone’s hand on the ground, they were completely blown up,” one horrified witness recalled. Another bystander described seeing body parts and a car’s steering wheel strewn on the road, unable to fathom the carnage: “I just cannot imagine how their families will deal with this”. Several nearby vehicles – at least six cars and three auto-rickshaws – caught fire from the explosion’s intensity. First responders, including locals, rushed to help. “I ran towards the site and began pulling bodies out,” said one early responder, as ambulances arrived in droves.
At Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, a few kilometers away, heart-wrenching scenes unfolded. Victims with severe burns, shrapnel wounds, and broken bones were brought in one after another. The corridors echoed with the screams and sobs of families. One woman cried out “Mera bhai chala gaya” – “my brother is gone” – upon learning her brother had perished. Hospital staff worked frantically, with at least 15 doctors and 20 paramedics treating the injured and trying to identify the dead. Eight victims were already dead when they arrived at the hospital, some so badly dismembered that officials struggled to identify them. “We have been unable to identify them,” an official said of several bodies that were missing upper limbs or had charred faces. Families desperately searched for missing loved ones; one man, Nazim, recounted making over a hundred calls to his brother-in-law’s phone until a police officer finally answered and told him the phone was recovered at the blast site and its owner taken to the hospital. Such stories were tragically common as relatives crowded the hospital, anxiously awaiting news.
Investigators Probe a Terrorism Angle
Within hours of the blast, the investigation turned toward a suspected terrorist attack. Delhi Police officials said all angles were being probed, and notably they invoked India’s primary anti-terror law – the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act – in the case. An FIR (First Information Report) was registered under UAPA Sections 16 and 18, which cover acts of terrorism and conspiracy, as well as under explosives and murder charges. This legal move signaled that authorities were treating the car explosion as a deliberate act of terror rather than an accident. Forensic teams collected samples from the charred car and blast site; early tests indicated the use of ammonium nitrate as the explosive material in the bomb, according to sources. Investigators found no immediate crater at the site or typical metallic shrapnel, which raised questions about the bomb’s design.
Tracking the car’s ownership and occupants became a top priority. The exploded vehicle, a white Hyundai i20 with Haryana state license plates (number HR26 CE 7674), had a tangled history. Police quickly detained the car’s original owner, Mohammad Salman, in Gurgaon (Haryana). Salman told investigators he sold the 12-year-old car to someone in Delhi, who in turn sold it again recently – a transaction that had not been updated in the registration records. The car was still registered in Salman’s name at the time of the blast, which initially led police to him. Using CCTV footage and motor vehicle records, the trail of ownership led to a man in Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir, who had reportedly bought the i20 just two weeks earlier, on October 29. Investigators have not officially named this suspect yet, but multiple media reports indicate he is a 34-year-old doctor from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
According to source-based reports, this Pulwama man – identified as Dr. Umar Mohammad – is believed to have been the one driving the car and may have detonated the explosive as a suicide bomber. In a rapidly developing terror plot investigation, Umar’s actions are suspected to be linked to a larger “white-collar” terror module that Indian security forces had started cracking down on just hours before the blast. In fact, on the very same day (Monday morning), police in Haryana arrested another Kashmiri man – also a doctor – in the city of Faridabad (about 50 km from Delhi) and seized an enormous cache of explosives: 2,900 kg of explosive material (including 350 kg of ammonium nitrate), 20 timers, two dozen remote detonators, assault rifles, and other arms. This man, along with at least two others, was allegedly part of a terror cell planning attacks. One of his associates from Kashmir was arrested in Uttar Pradesh on Monday for possessing posters praising Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) – a Pakistan-based extremist group. Another was arrested in Gujarat with weapons and even materials to make ricin (a potent toxin).
Investigators now suspect a connection between these arrests and the Red Fort car blast. According to early intelligence leaks, Dr. Umar Mohammad – who owned the i20 – panicked upon learning that two key members of his module (identified as Dr. Mujammil Shakeel and Dr. Adil Rather) had been arrested along with the explosives haul. Feeling the net closing in, he allegedly decided to strike immediately. Umar reportedly stayed inside the parked car near Red Fort for over three hours that afternoon, possibly awaiting instructions or the right moment. CCTV footage shows the white i20 entering a parking lot near Red Fort at 3:19 pm and leaving around 6:30 pm. Sources say he remained in the driver’s seat the whole time, not even stepping out for a moment. He then drove to the busy traffic signal at Subhash Marg outside the metro station, where the car blew up at 6:52 pm. Investigators are still determining whether the blast was set off by a timer or manually triggered by Umar inside the car. The sheer force of the explosion obliterated the car and dismembered the person inside, making it challenging to immediately identify the bomber. However, the discovery of an unidentified ninth body part at the scene suggests the bomber’s remains might be among the fatalities. DNA tests are likely being conducted to confirm the bomber’s identity.
As of now, no terrorist organization has formally claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the involvement of multiple highly-educated suspects and the seizure of a large weapons cache point to a planned terror conspiracy. The focus is on uncovering the motive and any links to known extremist groups. Given that two of the suspects (including the presumed bomber) hail from Pulwama in Kashmir – the site of a notorious 2019 suicide bombing that killed 40 Indian soldiers – authorities are probing possible connections to Kashmir-focused militant networks. Indian officials have long accused Pakistan-based groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba of orchestrating attacks on Indian soil, especially relating to the Kashmir conflict. The Delhi Police Special Cell, National Investigation Agency (NIA), and Intelligence Bureau are all involved in the investigation. They are tracing the car’s route prior to the blast, analyzing phone records, and interrogating the detained suspects to piece together the chain of events that led to this horrific attack.
High Alert in Delhi and Beyond
In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, authorities across India went into high alert mode. Delhi police swarmed the blast site, and security was visibly ramped up around the capital – particularly at transit hubs, government buildings, and popular public areas. The Delhi Metro temporarily shut down Lal Qila station for security reasons, and checkpoints were set up on roads. Dozens of ambulances and fire engines converged on the Red Fort area, while bomb disposal squads and sniffer dog units combed the vicinity for any secondary devices.
The Union Home Ministry ordered extra vigilance nationwide, fearing this might not be an isolated incident. Major railway stations across India – from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh to far-off Mumbai – were put on alert with intensive screening of luggage and vehicles. Airports in major cities including Delhi were placed under enhanced security; travelers were advised to arrive early as thorough checks were implemented. Several states bordering Delhi or with large urban centers sounded their own alerts. For instance, Punjab and Haryana announced a “red alert” across all districts, ordering police to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity or persons. Haryana’s police chief urged citizens to stay calm but report anything unusual immediately to the 112 emergency line. Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Uttarakhand were among other states that stepped up security at public places, religious sites, markets, and bus terminals. In Bihar, which was coincidentally in the middle of state elections, authorities put sensitive areas on high alert and even closed the bustling Chandni Chowk market in Delhi the next day as a precaution. Quick reaction teams, anti-terrorism squads, and even NSG (National Security Guard) commandos in their black fatigues were deployed at the blast site and other strategic locations.
Hospitals in Delhi were also put on alert to handle the surge of casualties. At LNJP Hospital, as mentioned, security forces even controlled family access until victims could be identified, reflecting the tense situation. The U.S. Embassy in Delhi issued a security advisory to American citizens, urging them to avoid crowds around Old Delhi and exercise caution, noting that the cause of the explosion was still under investigation. Other diplomatic missions, like the U.K., similarly updated travel advisories in light of the incident. India’s civil aviation authorities and airlines sent out notices to expect heightened security at airports nationwide. For many Delhi residents, the immediate question was whether more attacks could follow, leading to an atmosphere of anxiety across the city. The visible show of force by police and paramilitary units aimed to reassure the public, even as investigators raced to uncover if any additional threats loomed.
Political Reactions and Condolences
The bombing near Red Fort sparked an outpouring of shock, sympathy, and also some anger from leaders across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quick to respond, saying he was “pained beyond words” by the loss of lives. He tweeted condolences to the victims’ families and prayed for the recovery of the injured. Modi also said he had reviewed the situation with Home Minister Amit Shah and other officials, underscoring that those affected were being given all assistance. Home Minister Amit Shah visited the blast site late Monday night and then went to LNJP Hospital to meet the injured. Shah promised that “top agencies are investigating the incident with full intensity”, vowing that “all possibilities” would be examined and those responsible brought to justice. “My deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones,” Shah wrote, assuring that no stone would be left unturned in the probe.
President Droupadi Murmu also expressed her grief, stating “my heartfelt condolences to the families... I pray for the quick recovery of those injured” in a message from her office. Leaders from various political parties condemned the attack and highlighted the need for vigilance. Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called the explosion “extremely alarming” and urged police to strengthen security in the capital. Opposition figures like Rahul Gandhi termed the incident “deeply saddening and concerning,” appealing for solidarity with the victims. Some politicians also raised pointed questions about how an apparent terror attack managed to occur in the heart of the capital. Abhishek Banerjee, an MP from West Bengal, said it was “extremely distressing that such an incident has taken place in the heart of our National Capital,” and openly questioned “how such grave lapses in security [were] allowed to occur” when Delhi Police report directly to the Union Home Ministry. His remarks underscore a brewing political debate: the blast has reignited discussions on the adequacy of Delhi’s law enforcement and intelligence, especially since the capital’s security is overseen by the central government.
Beyond domestic leaders, international condolences poured in as well, reflecting global concern. The President of the Maldives and the Israeli Ambassador to India were among the first to offer sympathies on social media. Israel’s envoy tweeted about “heartbreaking scenes in Delhi” and praised the rescuers and security forces. The Embassy of Egypt in India publicly extended condolences “on behalf of the people and government of Egypt” to the families of the victims. The United States government, through its State Department travel account, acknowledged the incident and noted that several Indian states were on high alert, while praying for the injured. Such international messages of support underscore that the blast was not only a national tragedy for India but also drew the attention of the world.
Delhi Recalls a Dark Past
For Delhiites, this attack is a chilling reminder of past terrorist incidents, at a time when the city had enjoyed relative peace for years. India’s capital has been targeted by bombings in the past, but notably there had been no major blast in Delhi since 2011. In September 2011, a suitcase bomb detonated outside the Delhi High Court, killing 15 people – that was the last large terror bombing in the capital prior to this, and it was claimed by a Pakistan-based extremist group. During the 2000s, Delhi witnessed a series of terror attacks: coordinated bomb blasts in busy markets in 2005 and 2008 had left dozens dead. One of the bombs in September 2008 exploded in the bustling Karol Bagh area, killing over 20 people, and another that month in Connaught Place added to the toll. Those attacks were claimed by the Indian Mujahideen, a domestic terror outfit. Going further back, the Red Fort itself was the site of a terrorist attack in December 2000, when Lashkar-e-Taiba militants sneaked into the fort and opened fire on security personnel, killing three people. That attack, coming just months after the 1999 Kargil War, had escalated Indo-Pakistan tensions at the time.
In the broader Indian context, major cities have unfortunately experienced periodic terror strikes. From the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai (which killed over 250 people) to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and bombings in cities like Jaipur and Ahmedabad in 2008, India has a long list of such tragedies. Many attacks have been linked by Indian authorities to Pakistan-based jihadi groups or insurgents tied to the Kashmir conflict. However, there have also been incidents involving other actors (for example, bombings blamed on radical Hindu groups in 2007, or insurgent violence in the northeast and Maoist-affected areas). Delhi’s status as the nation’s capital and a symbol of Indian sovereignty – Prime Ministers address the country from Red Fort every Independence Day – makes it a high-value target, but also one of the most security-heavy cities. The rarity of such an explosion in Delhi (the city of 30 million had not seen a blast of this magnitude in over a decade) made Monday’s car bombing all the more shocking.
As investigations continue, Delhiites are grappling with both grief and resilience. Ordinary citizens have come forward to donate blood for the injured and offer assistance to victims’ families. Social media in India filled with messages of solidarity, using hashtags like #DelhiBlast and #RedFort to disseminate verified updates and discourage rumors. Meanwhile, security agencies remain on tenterhooks. There is a sense of high alert in Delhi for the foreseeable future – visible in the form of intensified checkpoints, increased surveillance, and a city administration urging vigilance without panic. Schools in the vicinity of the blast site were closed the next day as a precaution, and the Delhi Metro diverted some routes. The Red Fort monument itself, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was temporarily shut to tourists.
Moving Forward after the Tragedy
By Tuesday, as news channels broadcast images of the carnage and newspapers ran headlines like “Delhi on High Alert after Red Fort Blast,” the nation began asking deeper questions. Who masterminded this attack, and what was their objective? How did a car laden with explosives slip through one of the most policed parts of the capital? The use of a common vehicle as a bomb – reminiscent of tactics in the 2019 Pulwama attack and other car bombings – has raised concerns about urban security screening. Delhi’s Lt. Governor and Chief Minister held emergency meetings with law enforcement to review the city’s preparedness against such incidents. Intelligence agencies are tracing cross-border links, given the Kashmir connection and the involvement of militant groups like JeM in past plots. There is also a focus on whether this plot hints at a new trend of educated professionals (the so-called “white-collar” terrorists) being recruited for extremist activities – a chilling prospect if true.
Even as the investigation progresses, the human toll of this blast remains front and center. Pictures of the victims – ordinary people who were heading home from work or meeting a friend at the metro – have been splashed across media, turning them into faces of this tragedy. Heart-rending stories have emerged: one victim, a 35-year-old pharmacist, was on his way to catch the metro after closing his shop, when the blast took his life. Another victim was a father of two who had come to the area to meet a former colleague – he never made it back home. Families of those killed are struggling to comprehend their sudden loss, even as they wait to perform last rites once forensic identification processes are done. The injured, some in critical condition, are being treated for burns, head injuries, and shock trauma; doctors at LNJP Hospital worked round-the-clock to stabilize as many patients as possible in the blast’s aftermath.
India has sadly experienced terrorism before, and each time it has tested the resilience of its people. The Delhi car blast near Red Fort is no different in that regard. Already, there are signs of resolve – people lining up to help, leaders emphasizing unity, and investigators pressing hard to solve the case. “Delhi stands together in this difficult time,” one news anchor declared, reflecting a common sentiment. The coming days will likely bring more clarity on who was behind the attack and their motives. For now, Delhi and the nation mourn the dead, tend to the wounded, and refuse to be terrorized. In the words of Prime Minister Modi, the priority is to ensure the injured recover and the victims’ families receive justice. As the investigation unfolds under the UAPA anti-terror law, all of India watches anxiously, hoping for answers and praying that such a nightmare is never repeated.
Sources: The information above is based on reports from Reuters, NDTV, The Indian Express, Al Jazeera, Hindustan Times, and other verified news outlets covering the Delhi Red Fort blast of November 2025. These sources include eyewitness accounts, official statements, and investigative updates to provide a comprehensive overview of the tragedy and its aftermath.
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