High-Intensity Explosion Rocks India’s Capital Near Historic Monument
New Delhi, November 11, 2025 — India’s capital city was thrown into chaos on Monday evening when a high-intensity car explosion near the iconic Red Fort killed at least 10 people and injured more than 30 others, marking one of the most significant security incidents in Delhi in recent years. The blast, which occurred at approximately 6:52 PM local time near Gate No. 1 of the Lal Qila Metro Station, has prompted a nationwide security alert and raised serious questions about potential terrorist activity in the heart of the nation’s capital.
The Incident: A City on Edge
The explosion took place in a moving Hyundai i20 vehicle with registration number HR 26 7624 as it approached a red light signal near the historic 17th-century Red Fort, also known as Lal Qila. The area, a major tourist hub famous for its crowded bazaars, street vendors, and historical significance, was packed with commuters and visitors during the evening rush hour.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha provided crucial details about the incident, stating that the blast occurred in a “slow-moving vehicle” that had stopped at a traffic signal. According to Golcha, there were occupants inside the car at the time of the explosion, which unleashed devastation across the busy intersection.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror as thick orange flames billowed into the night sky. Om Prakash Gupta, a local resident, told reporters he heard a loud explosion while at home. “I rushed out with my children and saw several vehicles on fire, body parts all over,” he recounted, visibly shaken. “I saw one body on the windscreen of a car.”
The intensity of the blast was such that it completely destroyed the primary vehicle and immediately set fire to nearly a dozen nearby vehicles. According to the Delhi Fire Service, six cars, two e-rickshaws, and one auto-rickshaw were incinerated in the explosion and subsequent fire. The sound of the explosion was heard from several hundred meters away, and windowpanes of nearby buildings shattered by the force.
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Casualties and Emergency Response
The official death toll stands at 10, though initial reports varied between 8 and 11 fatalities as rescue operations continued through the night. More than 30 people were seriously injured in the blast, with Dr. Manish Kumar Jha, a physician at the Lok Nayak Hospital where victims were taken, providing a grim assessment: “Many are not in a position of recovering.”
The emergency response was swift, with the Delhi Fire Service receiving multiple calls between 6:55 PM and 7:05 PM. Seven fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the scene to control the blaze and prevent it from spreading to surrounding structures. Emergency crews worked through the night to extinguish the flames and recover victims.
An ambulance driver at the scene described the horrific aftermath: “We could only find bodies when we reached the site. The bodies were in parts, and we had to pick different parts and bring them back in the ambulances, and later brought them to the hospital.”
The injured were rushed to Lok Nayak Hospital, where medical teams worked to save lives. Five post-mortems have been completed, with Delhi Police confirming that one or two bodies remain unidentified. Families of victims gathered at the hospital throughout the night, desperately seeking information about their loved ones.
Nazish Malik, whose brother-in-law Mohsin, an e-rickshaw driver, was missing after the blast, described the chaos: “After more than a hundred calls on his phone, finally someone answered and said that the phone is at the police post at the Red Fort and your relative has been taken to Lok Nayak Hospital. When we got there, the security was so tight, they were not permitting us to go inside.”
According to Press Trust of India (PTI), the blast occurred at approximately 6:52 PM near Red Fort Metro Station.
Image Source: The Hindu
Investigation: Terror Angle Under Scrutiny
The Delhi Police have registered a case under Sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which deal with punishment and conspiracy for terrorist attacks, as well as under the Explosives Act and various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). This legal framework indicates authorities are treating the incident as a potential terrorist attack.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who personally visited both the blast site and the hospital where victims were treated, confirmed that all angles are being investigated. “We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account,” Shah stated. “All options will be investigated immediately, and we will present the results to the public.”
The investigation has revealed several significant details. According to police sources, CCTV footage shows the suspect vehicle entering and exiting a parking area near the Red Fort, with the suspect appearing to be alone. More than 100 CCTV clips from nearby roads, parking areas, and toll plazas are being analyzed to map the vehicle’s complete journey.
Initial investigations may have revealed traces of ammonium nitrate, though Delhi Police Special Cell sources emphasized that the exact nature of the explosive will be confirmed only after the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) submits its report, which is expected on Tuesday.
Interestingly, investigators noted several unusual aspects of the blast. No crater or pit was formed at the explosion site, and no nails or wires were found embedded in the bodies of the injured—patterns typically seen in terrorist bomb attacks. “We have not found any pellet or puncture in the body of the injured, which is unusual in a blast,” said a senior police officer.
Links to Faridabad Terror Module
The investigation has uncovered potential connections to a wider terror network. Shortly before the attack, authorities had recovered approximately 2,900 kilograms of explosive-making materials during a joint operation in Faridabad, a city adjacent to Delhi, conducted by Faridabad Police in coordination with Kashmir Police.
Sources indicate that the suspected driver of the car may be Dr. Umar Mohammad, who was allegedly associated with the Faridabad terror module and was employed at Al Falah Medical College in Faridabad. Dr. Umar is believed to have close ties with Adeel Ahmad Rather, a former senior resident doctor at the Government Medical College (GMC) in Anantnag, who was arrested last week. DNA testing of recovered remains is currently underway to confirm the identity of the blast victims.
Police sources suggest that Dr. Umar was inside the car at the time of the explosion and may have orchestrated the attack along with two associates. Investigators believe the blast was executed hastily following the arrests in Faridabad earlier that day, possibly as an act of panic.
The car’s ownership trail has become a key focus of the investigation. According to police, the i20 car belonged to a man named Salman, who has been detained for questioning. Salman revealed during interrogation that he sold the car to another person named Devendra, a resident of Delhi’s Okhla, who later sold it to someone in Haryana’s Ambala. Police are working with Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials to identify the car’s current owner.
Delhi Police’s investigation has also revealed the involvement of two individuals from Jammu and Kashmir, identified as Tariq and Umar Mohammad, with the car reportedly sold to a man named Tariq. Further investigation is underway to trace their links and determine the purpose behind the vehicle’s use.
Government Response and Security Measures
Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately inquired about the incident and spoke with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the phone, taking detailed information about the entire situation. In a post on social media platform X, Modi offered his condolences: “Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast in Delhi earlier this evening. May the injured recover at the earliest.”
Home Minister Amit Shah took personal charge of the situation, immediately contacting the Commissioner of Delhi Police and the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB). In a significant move, Shah visited Lok Nayak Hospital late at night to meet with the injured and inquire about their medical treatment. At the hospital, he held a brief review meeting with top officials of the Delhi Police.
On Tuesday morning, Shah is scheduled to chair a high-level security review meeting at 11 AM at the Home Ministry office at Kartavya Bhawan. The meeting will be attended by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, and Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Sadanand Vasant Date. The Director General of Police of Jammu and Kashmir, Nalin Prabhat, will attend the meeting virtually.
Multiple elite agencies have been deployed to investigate the incident. Teams from the National Security Guard (NSG), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Forensic Science Laboratory, and Delhi Police Special Cell are working together at the scene, lifting evidence and conducting detailed analysis. The investigation has been entrusted to India’s premier counter-terrorism agencies.
Nationwide Security Alert
The ripple effect from Monday’s blast has been felt across India. The Central Industrial Security Force has placed airports, railway stations, government buildings, and heritage sites across the country on high alert. The Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi has implemented enhanced security protocols.
The Lal Quila Metro Station’s Gate No. 1 and Gate No. 4 remain closed until further notice as a precautionary measure. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) officials confirmed that all other stations are functioning normally.
The neighboring states have responded swiftly to the threat. Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state and home to the Taj Mahal and other major tourist attractions, has been placed on high alert. Uttar Pradesh Police announced that security arrangements “of important establishments, religious sites, crowded places, and other sensitive points” will be reviewed. Haryana’s head of police, OP Singh, urged residents to “remain calm” and report any “suspicious person or unclaimed object.”
In Mumbai, India’s financial capital, train stations have been put on high alert. Bomb disposal squads conducted checks at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and other sensitive locations.
Several other states, including Kerala, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Maharashtra, have sounded high alerts. Kerala Police have intensified security checks at sensitive locations across the state, deploying dog squads and bomb disposal units at railway stations and bus terminals.
Delhi Police have been conducting extensive search operations across hotels in Paharganj, Daryaganj, and nearby areas, with all hotel registers being thoroughly examined. During the night-long raids, four individuals were taken into custody for questioning. A suspicious black bag was recovered near the Paharganj flyover during the searches, though it later turned out to belong to a CRPF jawan who had gone to the bathroom.
Traffic restrictions and diversions have been put in place on Netaji Subhash Marg from Chatta Rail Cut to Subhash Marg Cut in both carriageways and service roads due to security concerns.
Image Source: The Hindu
International Response
The United States Embassy in New Delhi issued a security alert on November 10, advising American citizens to avoid the areas surrounding the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk in Delhi, avoid crowds, and stay alert in locations frequented by tourists. The embassy is monitoring the situation closely.
The Russian news agency TASS reported that the Russian Embassy in India is attempting to determine if any of its nationals were affected by the blast and has formally noted the casualties and injuries.
Political Reactions
Political leaders across the spectrum have condemned the attack. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, termed the explosion “extremely heartbreaking and concerning.”
Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal called the incident “extremely alarming” and wrote in a post on X that “the police and government should immediately investigate how this explosion occurred and whether there is any major conspiracy behind it. Negligence regarding Delhi’s security cannot be tolerated.”
Asaduddin Owaisi, President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), expressed his distress: “Very disturbed by the news of the Red Fort blast. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured and patience for those who lost their dear ones. I hope for a thorough and swift investigation. Those responsible for this condemnable act must receive the maximum punishment under the law.”
Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda termed the blast “disturbing” and said the union government has initiated security measures and is determined to serve justice. “The blast in Delhi near Red Fort is very disturbing. The union govt has swiftly put in motion a number of security measures, and is determined to investigate and serve justice. My prayers are with the victims and their families. We have to stay strong and united.”
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated: “This is a very unfortunate incident. The government has taken it very seriously, and our government will take strict action against those responsible. There is no place for supporters of terrorism in this country.”
Misinformation and Fact-Checking
In the aftermath of the blast, a still image showing a large fireball and mushroom cloud was circulated on social media, falsely claimed to be from the Delhi incident. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact-Check revealed that the photo was actually from a September 27, 2024, airstrike in the Dahiyeh suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. PIB clarified that “some propaganda accounts are circulating an old image on social media, falsely claiming it to be linked to the blast in Delhi.”
Additionally, a viral post claiming that terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) had claimed responsibility for the attack has been circulating on social media. The post alleges the assault was “in retaliation for the martyrdom at Bilal mosque in Kashmir.” However, authorities have not confirmed any such claim, and the authenticity of the post remains unverified.
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The Red Fort: A Symbol of National Pride
The site of the attack holds immense historical and symbolic significance for India. The Red Fort, or Lal Qila, is a 17th-century Mughal-era monument that served as the former imperial palace. It is one of India’s most high-profile tourist attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located six kilometers from the Parliament, it is where Indian Prime Ministers deliver their annual Independence Day speeches on August 15, making it a powerful symbol of India’s independence and sovereignty.
The choice of such a prominent location for the attack, if indeed it was deliberate, carries significant symbolic weight and has heightened concerns about the security of India’s most cherished landmarks.
Context: Delhi’s Security Landscape
Independent journalist Amit Baruah, speaking to Al Jazeera, described the area as “one of the most crowded parts of the city,” making it “vulnerable” to attacks. “It shatters the calm of the capital city,” said Baruah, who noted that Delhi had not experienced a blast like Monday’s in recent memory. “This is an incident that will definitely cause concern to ordinary people living not just in that area but around.”
The incident is indeed a rare occurrence for the sprawling metropolis of more than 30 million people. Delhi has not witnessed a major terrorist attack in several years, making this blast particularly shocking for residents and raising urgent questions about intelligence failures and security preparedness.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
As the investigation continues, forensic teams are working around the clock to analyze evidence from the scene. The FSL report, expected on Tuesday, will be crucial in determining the exact nature of the explosive material used and could provide vital clues about the perpetrators and their methods.
Delhi Police Special Cell has sought information from the Faridabad Crime Branch and Jammu and Kashmir Police regarding the explosives recovered from Faridabad, hoping to establish clear links between the two incidents.
DCP North Raja Banthia addressed the media, stating: “An FIR has been registered under the UAPA, Explosives Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigation has been taken up, and there are many specialized teams of Delhi Police, FSL, NSG here on the scene of the crime, and they are lifting evidence possible to help in the investigation. The investigation is in a very preliminary stage. Any comment on that would be too premature.”
The case is being probed from multiple angles, including the possibility of a suicide bomber attack, given that three occupants were in the vehicle at the time of the explosion. However, authorities have emphasized that until all forensic evidence is analyzed, no conclusive determination can be made about the nature of the attack.
Conclusion
The Delhi Red Fort blast has sent shockwaves through India’s capital and beyond, raising serious concerns about national security and the potential for coordinated terrorist activity. As the investigation unfolds and forensic reports are awaited, the nation watches anxiously for answers.
The tragedy has claimed at least 10 innocent lives and left dozens injured, with many fighting for survival in hospitals. It has disrupted the sense of security in one of Delhi’s most iconic areas and prompted a massive security response across the country.
With multiple agencies now involved in the investigation and high-level security meetings underway, authorities are working to piece together the full picture of what happened on that Monday evening near the Red Fort. The coming days will be critical in determining whether this was indeed a terrorist attack, who was responsible, and what steps need to be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
As Home Minister Amit Shah promised, authorities are committed to conducting a thorough investigation from all angles and presenting the results to the public. In the meantime, Delhi remains on high alert, and the nation stands united in grief and determination to bring those responsible to justice.
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